Gyrowetz (or Jírovec), Adalbert (Vojcěch) (1763–1850)

Bohemian composer. He wrote about 40 operas and 100 chamber and piano pieces, mostly in a style resembling Haydn's. He knew Beethoven, and was a pall-bearer at his funeral in 1827.

He learnt music from his father, a choirmaster. He later went to Prague to study law, but continued to work at music. As private secretary to Count Franz von Fünfkirchen, he was expected to take part in the domestic music. He then went to Italy for study under Nicola Sala in Naples and later visited Paris, France, where symphonies of his had been performed under the name of Haydn. In 1789 the French Revolution drove him to London, England, where the score of his opera Semiramis was burnt in the fire of the Pantheon in 1792. He returned to Vienna, Austria, soon after, and in 1804 was appointed conductor at the court theatres, where he wrote many works until 1831.

Works Stage Italian operas Federica ed Adolfo (1812) and Il finto Stanislao (1818); German operas Agnes Sorel (1806), Ida die Büssende (1807), Der Augenarzt, Robert, oder Die Prüfung (1815), Helene, Felix und Adele, Hans Sachs, Die Junggesellen-Wirtschaft, Der Sammtrock, Aladin (after Oehlenschläger), Das Ständchen (1823), and others; ballet Die Hochzeit der Thetis (1816) and others; melodramas Mirina and others.

Vocal comic cantata Die Dorfschule.

Orchestral over 60 symphonies, serenades, overtures, and other orchestral works.

Chamber about 60 string quartets, quintets, numerous trios; about 40 violin and piano sonatas.

Other instrumental pieces, dances; songs.