Italian composer who lived in Florence in the service of the Medici. His experimental melodic opera Euridice (1600) established the opera form and influenced Monteverdi. His first opera, Dafne (1597), believed to be the earliest opera, is now lost.
The George Cross was awarded by King George VI and originally appeared in a small blue canton. The present design dates from 1964 when the islands gained independence. Effective date: 21 September 1964.