Joseph Weigl (1766-1846) - Anonymer Kupferstich, Wien, um 1815?

Already when he was a young boy, did the Viennese composer Joseph Weigl show an extraordinary musical talent. That was why he received lessons from Johann Georg Albrechtsberger (1736-1809) and Antonio Salieri (1750-1825). Later on, Weigl was very successful as composer and conductor. He directed numerous music performances, and above all, he worked at the theatre next to the Kärtnertor. Weigl was also very popular at the imperial court - Empress Marie Therese (1772-1807) animated him to compose an Oratorio. In 1825, Weigl was nominated second bandmaster of the court orchestra.

When Weigl was only 16 years old, he already composed his first Opera. Numerous other stage entertainment followed, which were partly very successful in Vienna. Above all, the pieces "The Swiss Family" and "L'amor marinaro" were very popular. Ludwig van Beethoven used a theme from "L'amor marinaro" in the finale of his Trio for clarinets in B Major, op. 11. Although Weigl's name was mentioned a few times in Beethoven's conversation books, it does not seem as if the two composers have been in close contact with each other.(S.B.)