Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

May 4, 1860

Death

:

August 2, 1945

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Opera

 

Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek was a classical music composer born on May 4, 1860, in Vienna, Austria. He was the son of a Czech father and an Austrian mother. His father was a military bandmaster, and his mother was a singer. Reznicek grew up in a musical family and showed an early interest in music. He began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the violin and the cello. Reznicek studied music at the Vienna Conservatory, where he was a student of Anton Bruckner. He also studied with Franz Krenn and Robert Fuchs. After completing his studies, Reznicek worked as a conductor and composer in various cities in Germany and Austria. He conducted at the Stadttheater in Mainz, the Stadttheater in Graz, and the Stadttheater in Wiesbaden. Reznicek's early compositions were influenced by the music of Richard Wagner and Anton Bruckner. His first opera, "Ritter Blaubart," was premiered in Graz in 1899. The opera was based on the fairy tale of Bluebeard and was well received by audiences. Reznicek's next opera, "Donna Diana," premiered in Berlin in 1901. The opera was a comedy and was based on a play by the Spanish playwright Agustin Moreto. The opera was a huge success and was performed all over Europe. In 1902, Reznicek was appointed the conductor of the Berlin Court Opera. He held this position until 1908. During this time, he composed several operas, including "Benvenuto Cellini," "Till Eulenspiegel," and "Der Schelm von Bergen." "Benvenuto Cellini" was based on the life of the Italian sculptor Benvenuto Cellini. The opera was premiered in Berlin in 1905 and was well received by audiences. "Till Eulenspiegel" was based on the German folk hero Till Eulenspiegel. The opera was premiered in Berlin in 1906 and was also well received. In 1908, Reznicek left Berlin and moved to Vienna. He continued to compose operas and other works. In 1912, he composed his most famous work, the overture to the opera "Donna Diana." The overture became a popular concert piece and was often performed by orchestras around the world. During World War I, Reznicek served in the Austrian army. After the war, he returned to Vienna and continued to compose. He composed several operas, including "Der Heilige," "Die Jungfrau von Orleans," and "Blaubart." "Der Heilige" was based on the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. The opera was premiered in Vienna in 1926 and was well received by audiences. "Die Jungfrau von Orleans" was based on the life of Joan of Arc. The opera was premiered in Berlin in 1929 and was also well received. Reznicek's last opera, "Ritter Karls Brautfahrt," was premiered in Vienna in 1933. The opera was based on a play by the German playwright Ludwig Tieck. The opera was not well received by audiences, and Reznicek was disappointed by its failure. Reznicek died on August 2, 1945, in Berlin, Germany. He was 85 years old. Despite his many successes as a composer, Reznicek's music is not often performed today. However, his overture to "Donna Diana" remains a popular concert piece and is still performed by orchestras around the world.

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