Gerl, Franz Xaver

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Gerl, Franz Xaver

Gerl, Franz Xaver, German bass and composer; b. Andorf, Nov. 30, 1764; d. Mannheim, March 9, 1827. He sang in the choir at Salzburg, and in 1789 became principal bass at the Theater auf der Wieden in Vienna, remaining on its roster until 1793. He created the role of Sarastro in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte in 1791; his wife, Barbara Reisinger (1770–1806), created the role of Papagena in that production. He composed several works for the stage, collaborating with Bendikt Schack.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire