Luigi Cherubini (1760-1842) - Aquatinta-Radierung von Edmé Quenedey nach einer eigenen Zeichnung, Paris, 1809

When the Italian composer Luigi Cherubini was only thirteen years old, he already wrote his first great works. In 1788, he moved from Italy - where he had studied with Giuseppe Sarti - to Paris. At first he was one of the superintendents of the Paris Music Conservatory. Later on, he was composition professor, and then, from 1821 to 1860, he was the principal of this academy. His operas and clerical music had been the works which made Cherubini famous, but he also composed chamber music and in 1835, he wrote a textbook about the counterpoint.

Beethoven was a great admirer of Cherubini's music. The two composers first met in 1805, when Cherubini visited Vienna. On this occasion, he also might have seen the premiere of Beethoven's Opera "Leonore". Years later, Beethoven wrote Cherubini another letter, relating to his "Missa Solemnis". But apparently, Cherubini has never received this letter.(S.B.)