Carl Gottlieb Reissiger

Conventional in his writing style and derivative in many forms, Reissiger was one of the last Kapellmeister / composers. He wrote over eighty piano solos and over seventy songs and duets as well as masses, piano trios, operas and chamber pieces. As a champion of German opera his compositions of "Oberon" and "Euryanthe" were well-received in his homeland. Though he had studied with Belzig, Schicht and Salieri, Reissiger's compositional skills were never honed toward greatness. He taught composition successfully and succeeded Weber as the director of the court opera in Dresden. One of his theory students was Clara Schumann. Conducting and education were his strengths. ~ Keith Johnson