Adalbert Gyrowetz

Adalbert Gyrowetz was born in 1763 in Böhmisch Budweis, some 65 miles from Prague and then, as now, more famous for producing beer than musicians. He received his earliest music lessons from his father, a local music master. Later he studied philosophy and law in Prague and, breaking off his studies because of illness, became a violinist at the court of Count Franz von Fünfkirchen. One of the six symphonies that he composed for the count was performed in 1785 by Mozart in his subscription concerts in Vienna.

He then traveled to Venice, where he became secretary and music teacher for the family of Prince Ruspoli. Subsequently he traveled to Florence, Rome, Bologna, Naples, Paris and London; in London he had frequent contacts with Haydn during Haydn's visit to the city in 1791-92. After a short period in the employ of Count von Sickingen (in Munich and Schwetzingen) in 1804 he was appointed Vize-Kapellmeister of the Court Theatre in Vienna. There he composed operas and ballets for nearly three decades, taking an important role in Viennese musical society and was one of the pallbearers at the funeral of his friend and close contemporary, Beethoven. After his retirement in 1831 he lived his last years in penury.

Gyrowetz's compositions include some 30 operas; ballets and incidental music; over 40 symphonies; a huge body of chamber music; and many songs and various sacred works.