Vatroslav Lichtenegger was a Croatian choral conductor and music teacher. Born in 1809 in Poljčane, he studied at the Prague Conservatory. In Zagreb, he led church choirs and, from 1851, taught at the Croatian Music Academy.
Lichtenegger is known for writing down the song “Our Beautiful Homeland” from his choristers in 1861 and arranging it for four voices. The song, composed by Josip Runjanin to words by Antun Mihanović, was published in Lichtenegger’s collection of four-part songs for male choir in 1864. It later became Croatia’s national anthem. His students included pianist Julius Epstein and singer Ilma di Murska. His daughter became a prominent singer, performing as Matilda Mallinger. Lichtenegger died in Zagreb on April 15, 1885, and was buried at Mirogoj Cemetery.