Giovanni Battista Dalla Gostena was an Italian lutenist, conductor and composer. Dalla Gostenas date of birth is unknown and controversial in the research (assumptions extend over the period 1530-1555). About his youth and education nothing is known. From 1584 to 1589 he worked in San Lorenzo as a priest and conductor. Dalla Gostena was shot dead under mysterious circumstances. He created sacred vocal music, including polyphonic madrigals, but also secular music, especially for lute.