1551 in music

In 1551, several significant events occurred in the world of music. Pope Julius III invited Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina to Rome as maestro di cappella at St. Peter's Basilica. A notable musical debate took place between Nicola Vicentino and Vicente Lusitano regarding Greek musical genera. Giralamo Parabosco was appointed the first organist at St Mark's in Venice. The music publishing firm Le Roy & Ballard, founded by cousins Adrian LeRoy and Robert Ballard in Paris, received a royal printing privilege from Henry II. Francisco Guerrero became voce-maestro de capilla at Seville Cathedral, while Cristobal Morales took on a similar role at Malaga Cathedral. Loys Bourgeois was briefly imprisoned in Geneva for unauthorized psalm tune alterations but was released after John Calvin's intervention.

In terms of publications, Giovanni Animuccia released his second book of madrigals in Rome. Constanzo Festa posthumously published his first set of madrigals for three voices. Claude Goudimel's first collection of psalms for multiple voices appeared in Paris, and Adrian LeRoy issued a lute arrangement book. Tielman Susato published a dance music collection in Antwerp.

Johann Walter composed "Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ" during this period. Notable births included Giulio Caccini, an Italian composer, while Benedetto Pallavicino and Paolo Virchi also entered the musical scene. Deaths in 1551 included Albert de Rippe, Johannes Wannenmacher, Paul Speratus, Juan Alvarez de Almorox, and Jean L'Heritier.