Ukrainian composer of the Renaissance.
Biography.
He studied with Sebastian (Roksolanus) from Felshtin. From 1560 to 1564, he was a court musician of King Sigismund II Augustus, whose duties also included work in the famous Wawel Rorantist Chapel. The composer's first biographer, Shimon Starowolski, claimed that in addition to his duties at the chapel, Leopolita studied poetry at Jagiellonian University. After 1564 he returned to Lviv.
Martin Leopolita is considered one of the brightest representatives of Polish Renaissance music. His work synthesized the traditions laid down by his teacher Sebastian of Felschtin and the achievements of the Dutch polyphonic school, Italian and French music. Undoubtedly, his music, as well as the work of his teacher, Sebastian of Felstein, influenced the formation of Ukrainian polyphonic church music.
Of the composer's rather large creative heritage, only the five-voice (6-voice in Agnus Dei) Easter Mass ("Missa Paschalis") and four five-voice motets ("Cibavit eos," "Mihi autem," "Resurgente Christo," "Spiritus Domini") have survived.
