Giorgio Mainerio studied music but began a career as a Presbyterian chaplain.
In Udine, Mainerio spent ten years (from 1560 to 1570) and there, thanks to his previous musical knowledge and to the lessons given to him by two local contrapuntists, Gabriele Martinengo (Maestro di cappella from 1562 to 1567) and Ippolito Chamatero (Maestro di cappella from 1567 to 1570), he started his musical career. 
