 Livia was the daughter of a minor Mantuan noble, and was perhaps sent to the court in Ferrara because of her musical potential.When she arrived, she began studying the viol with Luzzasco Luzzaschi and Ippolito Fiorini.After a few years of study she joined Laura Peverara, Tarquinia Mola and Anna Guarini in the "Concerto delle donne"; the first record of her singing with them was in 1582.