Highlights from the music history of La Serenissima:
- Ottaviano Petrucci's numerous printed editions of mostly Franco-Flemish polyphony (1501-09) and tablatures (from 1509).
- The church music at St. Marks: Willaert 1527-62, his pupil Zarlino 1564-†1590, Merulo and the Gabrielis as organists, Monteverdi 1613-†1643.
- The start of public opera performances in 1637 (Teatro S. Cassiano); at the end of the century eight public theatres were active - composers: Monteverdi, Cavalli; later Legrenzi, Galuppi a.o.
- The Ospedali, charitable institutions for orphans and bastards with ample music training; the most renowned was the Pietà, where Vivaldi was teaching (1704-38).

The loss of independence (1797) went together with a decline of the unique music culture, although Venice continues to be one of Italy's leading music centres. Five Verdi premières, including Rigoletto and La Traviata.

20th century composers born here include Luigi Nono and Bruno Maderna.