The greatest Spanish composer of the second half of the 16th century, Victoria was born in 1548 in Avila, where he had his early musical training as a cathedral chorister. He studied further in Rome, continuing in the service of the Jesuit Collegio Germanico before joining the newly formed order of Oratorians. He returned to Spain to a convent chaplaincy in the service of the Dowager Empress Maria, sister of King Philip II, retaining the chaplaincy until his death in Madrid in 1611.

Church Music

Victoria left some twenty settings of the Mass, in addition to a number of Magnificat settings, Lamentations, responsories, anthems, psalms, motets and hymns.