An Italian composer who was a student of Caccini. Bonini was one of the first composers to use the monodic style in reaction to polyphony. Often it is characterized as a solo voice with continuo accompaniment. Other than composition, Bonini demonstrated strengths in musicography as well as organ playing and poetry writing. One of his poems celebrated the marriage of Cosimo de'Medici. As a musicographer, Bonini's contribution includes "Discorsi e regole" which conveys information about the early development of opera and the development of the monodic style. His compositions includde motets, madrigals, and canzonettes. Bonini also contributed a great deal to musical innovation by synthesizing a number of different styles. ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi