Holzbauer, Ignaz (1711–1783)

Austrian composer. Originally intended for a career in law, he was largely self-taught in music, and visited Italy to complete his studies. Director of the court opera in Vienna intermittently 1742–50, he was appointed Kapellmeister in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1751, and two years later to the court of the Elector Palatine in Mannheim, where the orchestra under Johann Stamitz was the most famous of the time. During visits to Italy on leave of absence he produced several operas, and in Mannheim produced the German opera Günther von Schwarzburg (1777). As a composer of symphonies he belongs to the Mannheim School.

Works Opera Il figlio delle selve (1753), L'isola disabitata (1754), Nitetti (1758), Alessandro nell' Indie, Tancredi, Günther von Schwarzburg (1777).

Oratorios and church music La passione (1754), Isacco (1757), La Betulia liberata (1760); Masses, motets and other church music.

Orchestral and chamber 65 symphonies; concertos; chamber music.