Claudio Monteverdi was an Italian composer of the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. Two of his most famous operas are 'Arianna' and 'Orfeo'. 'Arianna' is a seven-letter opera composed in 1608, and is based on the story of Ariadne from Greek mythology. 'Orfeo' is a five-letter opera composed in 1607, and is based on the story of Orpheus from Greek mythology. Both operas are considered to be masterpieces of the early Baroque period.