CACCINI, GIULIO (1558-1615?), Italian composer, also known as Giulio Romano, but to be distinguished from the painter of that name, was born at Rome about 1558, and in 1578 entered the service of the grand duke of Tuscany at Florence. He collaborated with J. Peri in the early attempts at musical drama which were the ancestors of modern opera (Dafne, and Euridice, i600), produced at Florence by the circle of musicians and amateurs which met at the houses of G. Bardi and Corsi. He also published in 16o 1 Le nuove musiche, a collection of songs which is of great importance in the history of the art as one of the earliest essays in monodic music. He was a lyric composer rather than a dramatist like Peri, and the genuine beauty of his works makes them acceptable even to-day.