Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

June 9, 1810 in Königsberg, Germany

Death

:

May 11, 1849 in Berlin, Germany

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Otto Nicolai was a German composer and conductor who lived during the 19th century. He was born on June 9, 1810, in Königsberg, Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia). His father, Carl Ernst Daniel Nicolai, was a professor of theology, and his mother, Eleonore Nicolai, was a talented singer. Otto Nicolai showed an early interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. Nicolai's family moved to Berlin when he was ten years old, and he continued his musical education there. He studied piano with Carl Friedrich Zelter and composition with Carl Friedrich Rungenhagen. In 1827, Nicolai entered the University of Berlin to study philosophy, but he continued to pursue his musical interests. He joined the Sing-Akademie zu Berlin, a prestigious choral society, and began composing choral works. In 1831, Nicolai moved to Vienna to study music more seriously. He studied composition with Ignaz von Seyfried and conducting with Johann Nepomuk Hummel. Nicolai quickly established himself as a talented conductor and composer. He conducted the premiere of his first opera, Die Heimkehr des Verbannten, in Vienna in 1834. The opera was well-received, and Nicolai was hailed as a promising young composer. Nicolai returned to Berlin in 1836 and became the conductor of the Berlin Sing-Akademie. He also began composing more operas, including Il templario, which premiered in 1840. Nicolai's operas were known for their lively melodies and witty librettos. He was also a skilled conductor, and he conducted the premieres of many important works, including Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. In 1847, Nicolai was appointed the conductor of the Vienna Court Opera. He was highly respected in Vienna and was known for his innovative productions. He introduced new works by Wagner and Verdi to the Vienna stage and was a champion of contemporary music. Nicolai also continued to compose during his time in Vienna. He wrote his most famous work, the comic opera Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor (The Merry Wives of Windsor), which premiered in 1849. The opera was an instant success and remains one of Nicolai's most popular works. Nicolai's tenure at the Vienna Court Opera was not without controversy. He clashed with some of the singers and musicians, and there were rumors of financial mismanagement. In 1849, Nicolai resigned from his position and returned to Berlin. He continued to compose and conduct, but his health began to decline. He suffered from heart problems and died suddenly on May 11, 1849, at the age of 38. Otto Nicolai was a talented composer and conductor who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His operas were known for their lively melodies and witty librettos, and his conducting was highly respected. Nicolai's most famous work, Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor, remains a popular opera today. Despite his short life, Nicolai left a lasting legacy in the world of classical music.

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