(1561-1633) Italian composer. He served the Medici family, the rulers of Florence. His experimental melodic opera Euridice 1600 established the opera form and influenced Monteverdi. His first opera, Dafne 1597, is now lost.

1. All around; about
2. Near
3. Enclosing; surrounding

(Persian) Fairy, especially excluded from paradise; beautiful woman.

ETYM Per. perî a female genus, a fairy.
1. A beautiful and graceful girl.
2. (Persian folklore) A supernatural being descended from fallen angels and excluded from paradise until penance is done.
In Persian myth, a beautiful, harmless being, ranking between angels and evil spirits. Peris were ruled by Eblis, the greatest of evil spirits.