Where was Tomás Luis de Victoria born and when?
Tomás Luis de Victoria was born around 1548, most likely in Ávila. The town of Sanchidrián has been proposed as another possible birthplace yet no baptismal record exists to confirm the exact location.
Questions about Tomás Luis de Victoria
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who were the parents of Tomás Luis de Victoria and what was their background?
His father Francisco Luis de Vitoria worked as a notary while his mother Francisca Suárez de la Concha came from an affluent wool merchant family of Jewish origin based in Segovia. Jacob Galfón briefly took his family to Portugal after the expulsion of Jews but returned to Segovia with royal authorization late in 1492 before converting to Christianity taking the name Pedro Suárez de la Concha.
When did Tomás Luis de Victoria travel to Rome and who influenced him there?
A grant from Philip II in 1565 enabled Victoria to travel to Rome where he became cantor at the German College founded by St. Ignatius Loyola. He may have studied with Palestrina around this time though evidence remains circumstantial and certainly he was influenced by the Italian's style.
What major work did Tomás Luis de Victoria compose for Empress María and when was it created?
His most famous work Officium Defunctorum stands as Requiem Mass composed specifically for Empress Maria following her death in 1603. The work includes eighteen motets from Tenebrae Responsories collection published 1585 alongside other pieces part Holy Week celebrations Catholic liturgy.
How long did Tomás Luis de Victoria serve at Descalzas Reales and what was his role?
He worked for twenty-four years at Descalzas Reales serving seventeen years as chaplain to Empress until her death then as convent organist. Victoria earned much more at Descalzas Reales than he would have as cathedral chapelmaster receiving annual income from absentee benefices from 1587 to 1611.