(b Bunzlau, 23 Dec 1597; d Danzig, 20 Aug 1639). German poet, librettist and literary theorist. Active both in Silesia and abroad, he wrote a highly influential treatise (1624) introducing modern High German. His reform verses (sacred and secular) were set by many German composers in the 17th century, following his emphasis on proper diction. He also wrote other sacred texts and adapted the libretto for the first German opera, Schütz's Dafne (1627, Torgau).

The Concise Grove Dictionary of Music. Copyright © 1994 by Oxford University Press, Inc.. All rights reserved.