Born: Middle of 16^th century - Huldschön, Bavaria (or unknown place & date)
Died: 1624? - Munich, Germany (or unknown place & date)
Active years: 1591- 1626

Georg [Georgius] Victorinus [Victorin] was a German composer. About 1591 he was living in the Jesuit monastery of St. Michael as Musicus praefectus. On July 7, 1597, the day of the consecration of the church of St. Michael, a sacred play was given by students in the place in front of the church, for which Victorinus had composed the music. Nine hundred singers performed the choruses. Costumes and decorations were specially produced for the occasion, and the fall of the angels into the burning hell created quite a sensation. The play was afterwards repeated several times, but nothing but the scenario has been preserved.

A few only of Georg Victorinus' compositions are still in existence. A Magnificat, 6 v., of 1591, and 3 litanies, 4-10 v., in manuscript, are in the Munich library, and some 20 songs of his are contained in his valuable collection of church music by various authors, viz.: . Thesaurus litaniarum (1596), Siren coelestis (1616; English edition by Wm. Braythwait, London, 1638) and Philomela coelestis (l624).

Source: Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1952 Edition; Author: E. van der Straeten);
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (April 2006)

Use of Chorale Melodies in his works

Title

Chorale Melody

Year

Puer natus in Bethlehem, 4-pt. setting

Ein Kind geborn zu Bethlehem (Puer natus in Bethlehem)

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