[ G. H. ]
STICH, Johann Wenzel, known as Punto, eminent horn-player, born about 1755 in Bohemia. Was taught music and the French-horn by Matiegka and Hampel of Dresden, at the expense of Count Thun. On his return to the Count's household he considered himself ill-treated, took offence, and ran away with some of his comrades. To avoid recognition he Italianized his name to Punto, and travelled in Germany and France, settling for a time in Würzburg, Treves, Coblenz, Paris, etc., and attracting considerable attention. In Paris he made the acquaintance of Mozart, who composed for him a Sinfonie concertante for flute, oboe, horn, and bassoon, never played and now unfortunately lost. 'Punto plays magnificently' (bläst magnifique) writes Mozart to his father. In 1788 he was engaged by Mara (with Graff, Fischer, and Florio) for her concerts at the Pantheon, London (?). In Vienna, Beethoven composed his sonata for PF. and horn (op. 17) for him, and they played it together without rehearsal, at Punto's concert, April 18, 1800. It was received enthusiastically, and at once encored. After this Punto made another tour with Dussek, returned to Prague and gave a concert at the theatre there in 1801. He died after a long illness Feb. 16, 1803, and his epitaph runs
Omne tulit punctum Punto, cui Musa Bohema
Ut plausit vivo, sic morienti gemit.
His compositions were published in Paris by Sieber, Nadermann, Cochet, Imbault, Le Due, and Pleyel.
[ C. F. P. ]
STIEHL, Heinrich, born at Lübeck, Aug. 5, 1829, second son of T. D. Stiehl, an esteemed organist there. He studied at Lübeck and Weimar, and at Leipzig under Moscheles, Gade, and Hauptinann. In 1853 he settled in St. Petersburg as organist to the St. Peter's Church, and Director of the Sing-Akademie. In 1867 he moved to Vienna, and after staying there two years went on to Italy. In 1872 and 1873 he was in London, and from Oct. 1874 to 1877 resided in Belfast as conductor of the Philharmonic Society and founder of the Cecilia Society there. He then returned to London, and in 1880 was called to Reval in Russia, where he holds the leading position as professor of music, organist, and conductor of the Musical Society of the town, in which he is indefatigable and most successful in the revival, practice, and performance of the best music, and is universally liked and esteemed. He gave an excellent performance of Bach's Matthew-Passion (the first in Russia) on March 17, 1883, and repeated it at St. Petersburg April 6.
Stiehl's compositions are numerous. A little orchestral piece called 'The Vision' was produced at the Crystal Palace, April 12, 1873, and was much applauded for its delicate fanciful character. A 'Hexentanz,' 'Ungarisch,' Waltzes, and a Gavotte are also well known in Germany. He has published 3 PF. Trios, a Sonata for PF. and Cello, Sonata quasi Fantasia for PF. solo, and many others, the latest being 'Mosaik' for the Pianoforte, op. 161. [App. p.796 "Add that he died in May 1886."]
[ G. ]
STIFELLIO. An opera in 3 acts; libretto by Piave from a play of Emile Souvestre's, music by Verdi. Produced at the Teatro Grande, Trieste, Nov. 16, 1850. Not being successful, Verdi revised it throughout and adapted it to the libretto of 'Aroldo,' also by Piave, which was produced at the Teatro Nuovo, Rimini, Aug. 16, 1857, and was equally unsuccessful.
[ G. ]
STIGELLI, or STIGHELLI, Georg. His real name was Stiegele, and he was born at Ingstetten, Würtemberg, in 1819. He was educated for the law, but his voice was so promising that he gave that up and devoted himself to music, which he studied in Stuttgart, Paris, and Milan. His early career was spent in Italy, where he had great success at the Scala at Milan, and elsewhere. In 1848 he returned to Germany, and settled at Frankfort as singer and teacher. In 1849 and 50 he was in London, and
