Flemish composer. He began as a choirboy (with a voice so beautiful that he was reportedly abducted to sing elsewhere) and his first known position was in the service of the Gonzaga family in Italy (1544).

 

After 1556 he resided in Munich as Kapellmeister to the Duke of Bavaria, but pursued an international career and traveled through Italy, Germany, Flanders and France.

 

He wrote more than 1200 works in all contemporary styles and genres, sacred (including about 60 masses and 500 motets) and secular (including hundreds of madrigals and chansons), with his attention to the match of music and words being particularly notable.

 

Due to his variety of styles and because his works were printed many times during and after his lifetime, he influenced many composers and is considered one of the greatest masters of his century.