San Luigi dei Francesi
He was born in Rome, to a French baker and confectioner, Robert Venouot or Vénevot, which name was Italianized to "Benevolo". Benevoli was a choirboy at San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome (1617–23). Later, he assumed posts as "maestro di cappella" at Santa Maria in Trastevere (from 1624); then, at Santo Spirito in Sassia (from 1630); and, eventually, at his old church, San Luigi dei Francesi (from 1638). Benevoli served as "Kapellmeister" in the court of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria from 1644 to 1646. In 1646, Benevoli returned to Rome, where he remained for the rest of his life, and where he served as choirmaster at Santa Maria Maggiore and at the Cappella Giulia of St. Peter's Basilica. He was made "Guardiano" of the Vatican's Congregazione di Santa Cecilia in the following three years: 1654, 1665 and 1667.