Cavalli, Pietro Francesco, 1602-76, Italian composer, whose real name was Caletti-Bruni; pupil of Monteverdi, whom he succeeded as choirmaster of St. Mark's, Venice. He wrote many operas, including Didone (1641), Giasone (1649), Serse (1654), and Ercole Amante (1662), all of which show the full development of the bel canto aria.