I think our modern idea of the virtuoso comes from the so called Romantic period. I am not saying there were no performers of amazing skill before this time, I am talking about the way in which musicians were seen. Music started to be accepted as fine art about the 18th century. By the 19th century, musicians were considered artists (something at least close to the current accepted meaning of the word). Bach was seen as a very talented musician, but for his patrons that was a very skilled man comparable to great bakers or instrument makers (poets were artists, musicians were tradesmen). So, a component of the modern idea of the virtuoso would not apply for him at that time (or for many before him).

The word was used before the 18th century to mean somebody was very good. This could include theorists and composers, not just great performers. It was until later that it came to be used for solo performers.

Most of the names that come to mind from before the 1600 century would be mainly known as composers or theorists.

Going way back in time, Orpheus is a figure related to the question. He was a legendary musician in ancient Greece. He was so good that he could charm all living creatures with his music, and make the gods themselves weep. He traveled to the underworld to rescue his dead wife, and used his talent to convince Hades to let her to return to earth. The ancient Greeks cared about music, and bothered to create this character of supernatural skill (they also had musical competitions, so the idea of amazing performers was significant to them).