Theile, Johann (1646-1724)

German composer. He was the first composer to contribute to the repertory of the newly opened opera at Hamburg in 1678.

He learnt music as a youth at Magdeburg and Halle, and later studied at Leipzig University, where he took part in the students' performances as singer and viola da gamba player. He then became a pupil of Schütz at Weissenfels, and taught music at Stettin and Lübeck. He was kapellmeister to the Duke of Holstein at Gottorp 1673-75, but fled to Hamburg during the Danish invasion. In 1676 he competed unsuccessfully for the post of cantor at St Thomas's Church, Leipzig. In 1685 he succeeded Rosenmüller as music director at Wolfenbüttel and in 1689 he was appointed to a similar post at Merseburg. In his last years he lived in retirement at his birthplace.

Works Opera Adam und Eva (1678; lost) and Orontes (1678; seven arias extant).

Church music ten Masses, seven Psalms; Passion according to St Matthew, church cantatas.