Ferdinando Paër (1771-1839) - Aquatinta-Radierung von Edmé Quenedey nach einer eigenen Zeichnung, Paris, 1809

The composer Ferdinando Paer (Paër) who originated from Parma, had lived in Vienna during the years around 1800. In 1802, he moved to Dresden, where he was leader of the court orchestra. After having lived in Warsaw for a while, Paer finally settled down in Paris. In Paris, between 1812 and 1827, he was bandmaster of the "Théâtre-Italien" as Gaspare Spontini"s successor. In 1832 he was appointed conductor of the Royal Chamber Music.

Paer composed around 50 operas, mostly in the manner of the Italian "Opera buffa" or the "Schreckensoper", which was popular during the French Revolution. In his stage entertainment "Leonore, ossia L"Amore coniugale" in 1804, Paer set the same subject matter to music, which Ludwig van Beethoven used one year later for his first version of "Fidelio". (S.B.)