Agostino Steffani studied under Ercole Bernabei in Rome, having been sent there in 1673 to continue his musical education. During this period Bernabei served as his master, guiding Steffani’s studies and overseeing the composition of several works, including six motets whose manuscripts are now preserved in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.
Their teacher–student relationship continued beyond Rome. In 1674 Steffani returned to Munich together with Bernabei, who had accepted the position of Hofkapellmeister under Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria. This shared relocation reflects the close professional bond formed during Steffani’s period of study under Bernabei.
