Victoria became the seventh of eleven children, was born in Madrid. As a choirboy, he received his first music lessons, and after his voice breaking, he was sent to Rome. He undoubtedly met the great Palestrina, perhaps even as a teacher. Until 1587, he then had a very successful career as a musician and composer until he calms sought out and employed by a monastery went to work. The working conditions
… there were extremely favorable: the Victoria had a servant, the meals were catered for and every year he had a month's holiday! These conditions ensured that the Victoria was not to deceive functions elsewhere. The composer Victoria focused entirely on the Latin liturgy: he wrote many masses, motets and Magnificats. His sombre music is still proved the most popular, such as the Requiem and beautiful office for Holy Week. This is a somewhat distorted picture of the Victoria as a kind of somber romantic, but he seems determined not to have been worrier. If you want something beyond listening, hear good musical joy in his work. (TC)more
