Diabelli, Anton (1781-1858)

Austrian publisher and composer. He was the original publisher of Beethoven, Haydn, and Schubert. He is most famous today for appearing in the title of Beethoven's Diabelli Variations (1823), which formed part of a contribution by 50 composers, each of whom was asked to compose a piece based on a waltz theme written by Diabelli himself.

He was educated for the priesthood, but studied music with Michael Haydn. He went to Vienna as piano and guitar teacher and joined Peter Cappi in his publishing firm in 1818; it became Diabelli & Co in 1824.

Works the operetta Adam in der Klemme (Vienna, 1809); Masses; many piano pieces, including the little waltz on which Beethoven wrote the 33 variations Op. 120, and other pieces.