Influential late Renaissance Venetian composer. Born in Venice, Italy, he studied with his uncle, Andrea Gabrieli, and worked in Munich (1574-79) with the Flemish composer Orlando di Lasso. From 1585 he was organist at the Cathedral of San Marco. He died in Venice.
His multiple ensembles of soloists, choirs, and instrumentalists, with their varying tonal colors and combinations, helped establish the principle contrast that permeated 17th- and 18th-century music. His treatment of harmony also foreshadowed baroque usage. His Sonata pian' e forte (1597, in Sacrae symphoniae, Vol. 1) was among the earliest printed works to specify loudness, softness, and instrumentation. Gabrieli was also noted for his motets and organ music. His most famous pupil was the German composer Heinrich Schütz.