Soggetto cavato ([sodˈdʒɛtto kaˈvaːto]) is an innovative technique of Renaissance composer Josquin des Prez that was later named by the theorist Zarlino in 1558 in his as soggetto cavato dalle vocali di queste parole, or literally, a subject 'carved out of the vowels from these words.' It is an early example of a musical cryptogram. Hercules Dux Ferrariae Her - re cu - ut les - re Dux - ut Fer - re ra - fa ri - mi ae - re re ut re ut re fa mi re