Gareth, Benedetto [o Benet] “il Cariteo”

In times of Fernando II (1458-94) the Barcelona-born poet and guitarrista (citaredo), Benedetto [or Benet] Gareth, (Barcelona c. 1450 - Naples 1514), known as “il Cariteo” was a poet singer and guitarrista in Naples. He was secretary to Ferdinand I and as secretary of state to Ferdinand II for whom he sang poems by Virgil at Ferdinand’s request (Haraszti, 12-31, cited in gasserM, 165) At Ferdinand’s wedding in 1496, he sang numerous frottole. He composed 32 frottole (Petrucci, Frottole, Libro nono, RISM 1509/2), one of which appears arranged for voice and lute in Bossinensis (Brown 1511/1, no 10, fol 11v = RISM 1509/2 fol 55v). Gásser comments that the simple conjunct melodic style is not unlike Milán’s. His poetry is edited in percope1892.