Staden, Sigmund Theophil

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Staden, Sigmund Theophil

Staden, Sigmund Theophil, esteemed German organist, instrumentalist, music theorist, and composer, son of Johann Staden; b. Kulmbach (baptized), Nov. 6, 1607; d. Nuremberg (buried), July 30, 1655. He studied organ, violin, and composition with his father, and after receiving instruction in keyboard instruments, cornett, trombone, bassoon, viola, and composition from Jakob Paumann in Augsburg (1620–23), he was active in Nuremberg as a city musician. He then completed his training with Walter Rowe in Berlin (1627). He returned to Nuremberg in 1627, and was made organist at St. Lorenz in 1634. On many occasions he was called upon to act as Kapellmeister to the city. His Seelewig (1644; pubi, in Frauenzimmer Gesprächspiele, Vol. IV, 1644; ed. in Monatshefte für Musikgeschichte, XIII, 1881) is the earliest extant Singspiel, which he wrote in the Italian manner. He also composed incidental music, about 50 lieder, etc.

Bibliography

H. Druener, ST. S. 1607–1655 (diss., Univ. of Bonn, 1946); P. Keller, S.s Oper “Seelewig” (diss., Univ. of Zürich, 1970).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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Staden, Sigmund Theophil

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