Gregor Aichinger (1564-1628) entered the University of Ingolstadt in 1578. There he met Jakob II. Fugger, whose father appointed him organist of the famous Fugger organ at St. Ulrich's in Augsburg. He also sponsored Aichinger's trip to Italy, where he converted from Protestantism to Catholicism. After 1588 he studied philosophy and possibly theology in Igolstadt. On his second trip to Rome in 1600 he entered the priesthood. He became choir vicar at the cathedral of Augsburg and worked in the strict spirit of the Counter-Reformation. His music was strongly influenced by Giovanni Gabrieli. Aichinger is considered one of the main representatives of the reform Catholic direction in German music around 1600.