Heinrich Esser

Heinrich Joseph Esser ( born July 15, 1818 in Mannheim, † June 3, 1872 in Salzburg ) was a German violinist, conductor and composer.

Life

Initially intended for a law degree, he moved after half a year for music. Nice early he took lessons in orchestral musicians of the Mannheim orchestra. He continued his studies with Franz Lachner away, who was 1834 Mannheim Kapellmeister, and in 1836 followed him to Munich. 1839/40 eaters in Vienna was a pupil of Simon Sechter. In 1840 he was Kapellmeister at the Mannheim National Theatre, but resigned in 1841 a position as conductor of the choral society in Mainz, where he was conductor at the theater in 1845. During his time in Mainz eater was also a teacher of composition from Peter Cornelius. In 1847 he became musical director of the Court Opera in Vienna, was a Director 1860/61 interim basis. In Vienna eaters created his most important works as a composer. In 1859 he was made an honorary member of the Vienna Men's Choral Society and 1862 Executive Board of the "Musician - Societät ". He also conducted the Philharmonic concerts. Esser also worked as a music consultant for the publisher Franz Schott, where he in 1859 for this publisher building up contacts to Richard Wagner, he began especially for its operas in Vienna ( 1858, he conducted the Viennese premiere of Lohengrin ). End of 1869 Esser retired with his family returned to Salzburg, where he died at age 53 from pulmonary tuberculosis ( TB ).

Esser was an honorary member of the Society of Friends of Music in Vienna and Knight of the Order of Franz Joseph.

Works

In addition to operas Esser wrote five symphonies, two orchestral suites and many of his time, widely known songs, ballads and men quartets. His two best-known operas include Thomas riquiqui or political marriage (op. 10, text by Carl Gollmick, opera in three acts, first performed in 1843 in Frankfurt am Main ) and The Two Princes (op. 15, text by Carl Gollmick, opera in three acts, first performed in 1845 in Munich). Notable successes were beyond his Fourth Symphony in D minor, op.44 (1853 ) and his Second Suite in A minor, Op 75 (1866 ).