Tomas Luis de Victoria lived from 1548-1611. He composed polyphonic music similar to that of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Victoria's music was exclusivly sacred. He exemplifies the link between Italian-Roman and Spanish music during the 1500s. He enrolled in the Jesuit college in Rome, then taught there in 1571, and in 1573 became the choir director. After that, he joined a community of priests in 1577, and then became chaplain to Empress Maria in 1587. In 1603, he wrote Officium defunctorum for her death.

Victoria composed with more heart than many previous composers. Hi music had a certain power and presence to it, probably aided by the fact that he used triadic harmony, and ended his pieces in octaves. Victoria also drew from his motets for inspiration in larger works, often quoting them directly.

This information was found in my IB music class notes and in chapter 8 of the "History of Western Music", 6th ed. I know this is thin. feel free to supersede it or /msg me if I missed something major.