Johann Baptist Malfatti von Monteregio (1775-1859) - Reproduktion einer Lithographie von Joseph Kriehuber

Doctor Johann Baptist (in fact Giovanni Domenico Antonio) von Malfatti from a wealthy Italian family relocated to Vienna in 1795 and soon made himself a name. He became the personal physician of Archduchess Beatrix von Este and Archduke Karl from Austria. Their common friend Ignaz von Gleichenstein introduced Malfatti to Beethoven who turned to the doctor after his own physician Johann Adam Schmidt had died in February 1808.

Around that time Beethoven also got to know the doctor's family. On the occasion of a celebration in honour of Malfatti in 1814, the composer wrote the little cantata "Un lieto brindisi" for four voices accompanied by piano, WoO 103. Even though their friendship suffered several long interruptions, Malfatti finally treated Beethoven in early 1827 for his last illness.(S.B.)