Peter Alois Barthel was born on 4.10.1852 in Luxembourg. He was initially a teacher at the boys Normal School in Esch / Alzette, then studied Humaniora in Echternach and Luxembourg and entered the seminary. On 24.8.1880 he was ordained a priest. He attended the conservatory in Munich and as Neopresbyter he was also able to attend the church music school in Regensburg. On 1.10.1882 Peter Alois Barthel became conductor of the Cäcilienverein (the main choir) of the cathedral in Luxembourg. He campaigned for “true” ecclesiastical art, was the cathedral’s precentor for more than forty years, and since 18 September 1904 teacher of liturgy at the seminary. He died on 18.9.1923 in Luxembourg City.