A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Lutz, Wilhelm

LUTZ, Wilhelm Meyer, was born in 1829 at Männerstadt, Kissingen, where his father was organist and teacher of harmony to the Schoolmaster's Institute. He showed a gift for the piano at a very early age, and when 12 played in public with the orchestra. His father removing to Würzburg, he entered the Gymnasium and University there, and at the same time studied music under Eisenhofer and Keller. Since 1848 Mr. Lutz has been settled in England, first as organist to St. Chad's, Birmingham, and St. Ann's, Leeds, and then organist and choirmaster to St. George's Catholic Cathedral, London, a post he still holds, and for which he has composed several grand masses and much other music. Mr. Lutz has also had a long and wide experience of the stage as chef d'orchestre, first at the Surrey Theatre (1851–55), and since 1869 at the Gaiety Theatre; and has also had the management of the operatic tours of Grisi and Mario, Pyne and Harrison, and other eminent artists. Many of his operas and operettas are well and favourably known in England, amongst them 'Faust and Marguerite' (Surrey Theatre, ), 'Blonde and Brunette' (1862), 'Zaida' (1868), 'Miller of Milburg' (1872), 'Legend of the Lys' (1873), a cantata entitled 'Herne the Hunter,' etc., etc. A string quartet which he wrote for M. Sainton's chamber concerts was very well spoken of, and he has much music, orchestral and chamber, in MS.

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