Ducis, Benedictus

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Ducis, Benedictus

Ducis, Benedictus, distinguished composer; b. probably near Constance, c. 1490; d. Schalckstetten, near Ulm, 1544. He may or may not be identical with Benedictus de Opitiis, who was organist at the Antwerp Cathedral (1514–16) and at the Chapel Royal in London (1516–22). It is known for a certainty that Benedictus Ducis was in Vienna c. 1515; he probably studied there; in 1532 he applied for a pastorate at Ulm (under the name Benedict Duch), but failed to obtain it. In 1533 he succeeded in receiving a pastorate at Stubersheim, near Geislingen; in 1535 he became pastor at Schalckstetten. Benedictus Ducis has been confused by many writers with Benedictus Appenzeller. A few of his works have been publ. in modern editions.

Bibliography

D. Bartha, B. D. und Appenzeller (Wolfenbiittel, 1930).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire