Habermann, Franz (actually, František Václav)

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Habermann, Franz (actually, František Václav)

Habermann, Franz (actually, František Václav), Bohemian composer; b. Kynžvart, Sept. 20, 1706; d. Cheb, April 8, 1783. He studied in Prague, and, while traveling in Italy, Spain, and France, pursued his training. After serving as music director at the courts of the Prince of Condé and the Duke of Tuscany in Florence, he was again in Prague by 1743 and active as a choirmaster. In 1773 he became cantor in Cheb. He composed an opéra-comique for the coronation of Empress Maria Theresia as Queen of Bohemia (Prague, May 12, 1743), oratorios, church music, and instrumental pieces. Habermann was greatly esteemed for his mastery of contrapuntal writing. Handel borrowed music from five of his masses for use in his own Philomela pia, Jephtha, and an organ concerto. Among Habermann’s students were Franz Duschek and Josef Mysliveček.

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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Habermann, Franz (actually, František Václav)

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