Dittersdorf, Karl Ditters von (1739-1799)

Austrian composer and violinist. He was educated in the household of Prince Hildburghausen in Vienna, and studied composition with Bonno. He played in the orchestra of the Imperial Opera in Vienna, 1761-63, during which time he travelled to Italy with Gluck, winning great success as a violinist. In 1765 he succeeded Michael Haydn as Kapellmeister to the Bishop of Grosswardein, and from 1769 to 1795 served the Prince Bishop of Breslau in the same capacity. Much of his time was spent in Vienna, where his most popular opera, Doktor und Apotheker, was produced in 1786. He was ennobled in 1773, henceforth calling himself von Dittersdorf. Kelly's Reminiscences contains an account of Dittersdorf playing string quartets with Haydn, Mozart, and Vanhal. During his last years he was in the service of Baron Stillfried at Rothlhotta. His autobiography, dictated shortly before his death, was published in 1801.

Works over 40 operas, for example Amore in musica, Betrug durch Aberglauben, Doktor und Apotheker (1786), Hieronimus Knicker (1789), Das rothe Kaeppchen, Die Hochzeit des Figaro (after Beaumarchais), etc.; oratorios Isacco (1766), Davidde Penitente (1771), Esther, Giobbe (1786); Masses and other church music; over 100 symphonies, including 21 on Ovid's Metamorphoses; concertos; divertimenti, chamber music.