Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

January 28, 1841

Death

:

May 28, 1890

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Viktor Nessler was a German composer and conductor who lived from 28 January 1841 to 25 May 1890. He was born in Baldenheim, Alsace, which was then a part of France. Nessler was the son of a schoolteacher and showed an early interest in music. He began his musical education at the age of six, studying the piano with his father. Later, he studied with the organist of the local church, and at the age of 14, he was sent to Strasbourg to study at the Conservatory. At the Conservatory, Nessler studied composition with Gustave Satter and piano with Ignaz Moscheles. He was a talented student and won several prizes for his compositions. After completing his studies, Nessler worked as a conductor and pianist in Strasbourg and other cities in Germany. In 1864, he became the conductor of the Stadttheater in Mainz, where he remained for several years. Nessler's most famous work is his opera "Der Trompeter von Säckingen" (The Trumpeter of Säckingen), which premiered in 1884. The opera is based on a popular novel by Joseph Victor von Scheffel and tells the story of a young trumpeter who falls in love with a beautiful baroness. The opera was an immediate success and was performed all over Germany and Austria. It was also translated into several languages and performed in other countries, including the United States. In addition to "Der Trompeter von Säckingen," Nessler composed several other operas, including "Der Rattenfänger von Hameln" (The Pied Piper of Hamelin), "Medardus," and "Odysseus." He also wrote orchestral works, chamber music, and songs. Nessler's music is characterized by its lyricism and melodic invention. He was influenced by the music of Richard Wagner and Franz Liszt, but his style is more conservative than theirs. Nessler's career was cut short by his early death at the age of 49. He died in Strasbourg, where he had returned to live after many years of working in other cities. Despite his relatively short career, Nessler left a lasting legacy in the world of German opera. "Der Trompeter von Säckingen" remains one of the most popular German operas of the 19th century and is still performed today.

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