Born: 1529 - (Mark-)Cleberg
Died: April 1594

Valentin Otto [Ottho], studied in Leipzig until 1548. He was Thomaskantor from 1564 to 1594, possibly the longest tenure in this post any Kantor has ever served (including J.S. Bach, who was Thomaskantor for 27 years). Sachse: "In 1581 the pupils began in March, three times weekly, on Sunday, Tuesday and on Thursday going around the city and singing, before they sang standing at the doors of the houses."

Source: Thomanerchor Leipzig (January 2006), English translation by Aryeh Oron (February 2006):
Contributed by Dr. Stefan Altner (January 2006)

Thomaskantors: Thomanerchor Leipzig | Gewandhausorchester Leipzig | General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2