A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Reissiger, Karl

REISSIGER, Karl Gottlieb, son of Christian Gottlieb Reissiger, who published 3 symphonies for full orchestra in 1790. Born Jan. 31, 1798, at Belzig near Wittenberg, where his father was Cantor, he became in 1811 a pupil of Schicht at the St. Thomas School, Leipzig. In 1818 he removed to the University with the intention of studying theology, but some motets composed in 1815 and 1816 had already attracted attention, and the success of his fine baritone voice made him determine to devote himself to music. In 1821 he went to Vienna and studied opera thoroughly. Here also he composed 'Das Rockenweibchen.' In 1822 he sang an aria of Handel's, and played a PF. concerto of his own composition at a concert in the Kärnthnerthor theatre. Soon after he went to Munich, where he studied with Peter Winter, and composed an opera 'Dido,' which was performed several times at Dresden under Weber's conductorship. At the joint expense of the Prussian government and of his patron von Altenstein, a musician, he undertook a tour through Holland, France, and Italy, in order to report on the condition of music in those countries. On his return he was commissioned to draw up a scheme for a Prussian national Conservatoire, but at the same time was offered posts at the Hague and at Dresden. The latter he accepted, replacing Marschner at the opera, where he laboured hard, producing both German and Italian operas. In 1827 he succeeded C. M. von Weber as conductor of the German Opera at Dresden. Among his operas, 'Ahnenschatz,' 'Sibella,' 'Turandot,' 'Adele von Foix,' and 'Der Schiffbruch von Medusa,' had great success in their day, but the term 'Kapellmeistermusik ' eminently describes them, and they have almost entirely disappeared. The overture to the Felsenmühle, a spirited and not uninteresting piece, is occasionally met with in concert programmes. Masses and church music, a few Lieder, and particularly some graceful and easy trios for PF. violin and cello, made his name very popular for a period. He is generally supposed to have been the composer of the piece known as 'Weber's Last Waltz.' Reissiger died Nov. 7, 1859, and was succeeded at Dresden by Julius Rietz.

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