Vicenzo Ruffo (ca. 1510-1587) is an interesting and unjustly neglected figure. He was a prolific composer, producing a large number of motets and masses. However, it was as a composer of madrigals that he was most successful. Strong rhythmic interest is perhaps the most outstanding feature of his music; harmonically he was less daring than his more famous contemporary Cipriano da Rore (1515- 1565). He spent most of his working life in Verona and in Milan, where he was director of music at the cathedral from 1565 to 1572. Among his pupils were G. M. Asola and M. A. Ingegnieri, the teacher of Monteverdi.