Giovanni Guidiccioni

Who was Giovanni Guidiccioni?

Giovanni Guidiccioni was an Italian poet.

He was born at Lucca, and died at Macerata.

He occupied a high position, being bishop of Fossombrone and president of Romagnola. The latter office nearly cost him his life; a murderer attempted to rape him, and had already touched his breast with his dagger when, conquered by the resolute calmness of the prelate, he threw away the weapon and fell at his feet, asking forgiveness.

The Rime and Letters of Guidiccioni are models of elegant and natural Italian style. His best-known work, though usually wrongly attributed to others, was the text to the madrigal "Il bianco e dolce cigno" by Jacques Arcadelt.