Lachner, Franz

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Lachner, Franz (b Rain am Lech, 1803; d Munich, 1890). Ger. conductor and composer. Most eminent of remarkable mus. family. Taught and played org. in Munich 1822. Went to Vienna 1823, becoming friend of Schubert. Cond. at Kärntnerthor Th., 1827–34. Opera cond., Mannheim, 1834–6. Cond. Munich Court Opera 1836–65 (dir. from 1852). Resigned over differences with Wagner. Responsible for eminence of Munich Opera. Comp. operas, masses, oratorios, 8 syms., chamber mus., etc. Cherubini's Médée is usually perf. in his edn. which omits the spoken dialogue.