Adam of St. Victor
Encyclopedia
Adam of Saint Victor was a prolific poet and composer of Latin
hymn
s and sequences
. He is believed to have sparked the expansion of the poetic and musical repertoire in the Notre Dame school
with his strongly rhythmic and imagery-filled poetry.
The first reference to him is from 1098, in the archives of Notre Dame Cathedral
, where he was first a subdeacon, and later a precentor
. He left the cathedral for the Abbey of Saint Victor around 1133, probably because of his attempts at imposing the Rule of St Augustine at the cathedral.
Adam probably had contact with a number of important theologians, poets, and musicians of his day, including Peter Abelard
and Hugh of St Victor
, and he may have taught Albertus Parisiensis
.
Thirty-seven of his hymns were published in the Elucidatorium Ecclesiasticum of Jodocus Clichtovaeus, a Catholic
theologian of the 16th century. The remaining seventy hymns were preserved in the Abbey of Saint Victor
until its dissolution during the French Revolution
. They were then transferred to the Bibliothèque Nationale, where they were discovered by Léon Gautier, who edited the first complete edition of them (Paris, 1858).
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
s and sequences
Sequence (poetry)
A sequence is a chant or hymn sung or recited during the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist for many Christian denominations, before the proclamation of the Gospel. By the time of the Council of Trent there were sequences for many feasts in the Church's year.The sequence has always been sung...
. He is believed to have sparked the expansion of the poetic and musical repertoire in the Notre Dame school
Notre Dame school
The group of composers working at or near the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris from about 1160 to 1250, along with the music they produced, is referred to as the Notre Dame school, or the Notre Dame School of Polyphony....
with his strongly rhythmic and imagery-filled poetry.
The first reference to him is from 1098, in the archives of Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame de Paris
Notre Dame de Paris , also known as Notre Dame Cathedral, is a Gothic, Roman Catholic cathedral on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, France. It is the cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Paris: that is, it is the church that contains the cathedra of...
, where he was first a subdeacon, and later a precentor
Precentor
A precentor is a person who helps facilitate worship. The details vary depending on the religion, denomination, and era in question. The Latin derivation is "præcentor", from cantor, meaning "the one who sings before" ....
. He left the cathedral for the Abbey of Saint Victor around 1133, probably because of his attempts at imposing the Rule of St Augustine at the cathedral.
Adam probably had contact with a number of important theologians, poets, and musicians of his day, including Peter Abelard
Peter Abelard
Peter Abelard was a medieval French scholastic philosopher, theologian and preeminent logician. The story of his affair with and love for Héloïse has become legendary...
and Hugh of St Victor
Hugh of St Victor
Hugh of Saint Victor was born perhaps in France, or more probably in Saxony. His origins and early life are rather obscure. He studied and taught at the Augustinian Abbey of Saint Victor in Paris after which he is named. His writings include works of theology, mysticism, philosophy and the arts...
, and he may have taught Albertus Parisiensis
Albertus Parisiensis
Albertus Parisiensis , also known as Albert of Paris, was a French cantor and composer. He is credited with creating the first known piece of European music for three voices....
.
Thirty-seven of his hymns were published in the Elucidatorium Ecclesiasticum of Jodocus Clichtovaeus, a Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
theologian of the 16th century. The remaining seventy hymns were preserved in the Abbey of Saint Victor
Abbey of Saint Victor
Abbey of Saint Victor may refer to:* Abbey of St. Victor, Marseille* Abbey of St. Victor, Paris...
until its dissolution during the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
. They were then transferred to the Bibliothèque Nationale, where they were discovered by Léon Gautier, who edited the first complete edition of them (Paris, 1858).