Viktor Nessler
Encyclopedia
Viktor Ernst Nessler (28 January 1841 – 28 May 1890) was an Alsatian
composer
who worked mainly in Leipzig
.
Nessler was born at Baldenheim
near Sélestat
, Alsace
. At Strasbourg
he began his university career with the study of theology
, but he concluded it with the production of a light opera
entitled Fleurette (1864). To complete his knowledge of music Nessler went to Leipzig
to study with Moritz Hauptmann
. In 1870, he was appointed chorus master and later conductor of the Caroltheater, Leipzig.
His musically conservative, mock-Gothic, fairy-tale operas, notably Der Rattenfänger von Hameln
(The Pied Piper of Hamelin
) (1879) and Der Trompeter von Säkkingen
(1884), based on the famous poem by Joseph Viktor von Scheffel
, were very popular in the 19th century. The great conductor Artur Nikisch composed an orchestral arrangement of material from Der Trompeter von Säkkingen. Besides a number of other operas, Nessler wrote many songs and choral works; but it is with the Trompeter von Säkkingen that his name is most closely associated. In 1895 a monument to him by the sculptor Alfred Marzolff
was erected in Strasbourg, the place of his death.
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
who worked mainly in Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
.
Nessler was born at Baldenheim
Baldenheim
Baldenheim is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France. Composer Viktor Nessler was a native of the town.-References:*...
near Sélestat
Sélestat
Sélestat is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.In 2006, Sélestat had a total population of 19,459. The Communauté de communes de Sélestat et environs had a total population of 35,397.-Geography:...
, Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
. At Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
he began his university career with the study of theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, but he concluded it with the production of a light opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
entitled Fleurette (1864). To complete his knowledge of music Nessler went to Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
to study with Moritz Hauptmann
Moritz Hauptmann
Moritz Hauptmann , was a German music theorist, teacher and composer.Hauptmann was born in Dresden, and studied violin under Scholz, piano under Franz Lanska, composition under Grosse and Francesco Morlacchi,...
. In 1870, he was appointed chorus master and later conductor of the Caroltheater, Leipzig.
His musically conservative, mock-Gothic, fairy-tale operas, notably Der Rattenfänger von Hameln
Der Rattenfänger von Hameln
Der Rattenfänger von Hameln is a grand opera in five acts by Viktor Nessler. The German libretto was by Friedrich Hofmann based on a romantic poem by Julius Wolff....
(The Pied Piper of Hamelin
The Pied Piper of Hamelin
The Pied Piper of Hamelin is the subject of a legend concerning the departure or death of a great many children from the town of Hamelin , Lower Saxony, Germany, in the Middle Ages. The earliest references describe a piper, dressed in pied clothing, leading the children away from the town never...
) (1879) and Der Trompeter von Säkkingen
Der Trompeter von Säkkingen
Der Trompeter von Säkkingen is an opera in a prologue and three acts by Viktor Nessler. The German libretto was by Rudolf Bunge, based on the epic poem, Der Trompeter von Säckingen , by Joseph Viktor von Scheffel....
(1884), based on the famous poem by Joseph Viktor von Scheffel
Joseph Viktor von Scheffel
Joseph Victor von Scheffel was a German poet and novelist.-Biography:He was born at Karlsruhe. His father, a retired major in the Baden army, was a civil engineer and member of the commission for regulating the course of the Rhine; his mother, née Josephine Krederer, the daughter of a prosperous...
, were very popular in the 19th century. The great conductor Artur Nikisch composed an orchestral arrangement of material from Der Trompeter von Säkkingen. Besides a number of other operas, Nessler wrote many songs and choral works; but it is with the Trompeter von Säkkingen that his name is most closely associated. In 1895 a monument to him by the sculptor Alfred Marzolff
Alfred Marzolff
Frédéric Alfred Marzolff was a French sculptor, known especially for his monuments and medals. Many of his works may still be seen around his native city; some were, however, destroyed during the German occupation of France during World War II...
was erected in Strasbourg, the place of his death.
Works
- Fleurette (1864 StrasbourgStrasbourgStrasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
) - Dornröschens Brautfahrt (1867 LeipzigLeipzigLeipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
) - Die Hochzeitsreise (1867 Leipzig)
- Am Alexandertag (1869 Leipzig)
- Nachtwächter und Student (1871 Leipzig)
- Irmingard (1876 Leipzig)
- Der Rattenfänger von HamelnDer Rattenfänger von HamelnDer Rattenfänger von Hameln is a grand opera in five acts by Viktor Nessler. The German libretto was by Friedrich Hofmann based on a romantic poem by Julius Wolff....
(1879 Leipzig) - Der wilde Jäger (1881 Leipzig)
- Der Trompeter von SäkkingenDer Trompeter von SäkkingenDer Trompeter von Säkkingen is an opera in a prologue and three acts by Viktor Nessler. The German libretto was by Rudolf Bunge, based on the epic poem, Der Trompeter von Säckingen , by Joseph Viktor von Scheffel....
(1884 Leipzig) - Otto der Schütz (1886 Leipzig)
- Die Rose von Strassburg (1890 MunichMunichMunich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
)