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CARL DITTERS von DITTERSDORF (1739 - 1799)
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Carl Ditters was born in Vienna on November 2nd, 1739 as the second of five children. His father was
a costumier at the Imperial Court and Theatre. This meant safe means, excellent schooling by the Jesuits and music lessons. He had
violinlessons from the age of seven and soon showed great promise. In 1751 he was given a post at Prince Sachsen-Hildburghausen's
establishment. During his time there, he studied composition with Giuseppe Bonno.
In 1761, Ditters left this post to join the Imperial Court as soloist and member of the orchestra.
In 1763 he joined Gluck on a tour to Italy. In 1765 he took over the position of Kapellmeister to the bishop Grosswardein in
Hungary and remained there until 1769, when the orchestra was dispanded.
There is more than one version of Carl Ditters ennoblement. In 1770 he was given the Golden Spur,
supported by Count Schaffgotsch, Prince Bishop of Breslau. He accepted the post of Kapellmeister to the Prince-Bishop and
Forstmeister to the district of Neisse. And on June 5th 1773, he was given a certificate of nobility by Empress Maria Theresia
and appointed Amtshauptmann of Freiwaldau.
Dittersdorf’s main talent was for comic opera and instrumental music in the sonata forms. His wast
output includes some 40 works for the stage, around 100 symphonies, divertimenti and chamber music.
Dittersdorf spent the last few years of his life as guest of Baron Ignaz von Stillfried at Rothlhotta
Palace south of Prague. He died on October 24th, 1799.
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