Study Notes on 19th Century Vocal Music Composers

Composers of 19th Century Vocal Music

Franz Peter Schubert (1797-1828)

  • Birth and Family Background

    • Born on January 31, 1797 in Vienna, Austria.

    • Father: Franz Theodor Schubert, a rural Viennese schoolmaster.

    • Mother: A housemaid.

  • Early Musical Education

    • Received regular music instruction beginning at age 6.

    • Learned basic violin technique from his father.

    • Not a formally-trained musician.

  • Choir and Early Career

    • At 11 years old, received a choir scholarship at the Stadtkonvikt (Vienna Imperial Court Chapel choir).

    • In 1814, taught at his father’s school, focusing on the youngest students.

  • Compositional Achievements

    • By age 20, had written significant works including:

    • Five symphonies

    • Four masses

    • Despite dying at age 31 from typhoid fever, he produced nearly 1,000 works.

    • Approximately 60% (or over 600) of his compositions were art songs.

  • Notable Work: The Erl-King

    • Recognized as his greatest composition.

    • Requires the singer to embody three characters:

    • The father.

    • The sick boy.

    • The ghostly king, symbolizing death.

Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

  • Birth and Early Life

    • Born on October 9 or 10, 1813 in a small village, Le Roncole, Italy.

    • Father managed a tavern where early exposure to music occurred through street singing.

    • Initial music education provided by the local church organist.

  • Education and Struggles

    • At age 18, a merchant named Antonio Barezzi financed his studies in Milan.

    • Suffered personal tragedies: the deaths of his wife and two children due to illness.

    • Vowed not to compose again after experiencing an unsuccessful opera.

  • Successful Works and Contributions

    • Returned to composition with the opera Nabucco, which was successful.

    • His operas prominently featured themes of Italian nationalism.

    • Achieved fame and was regarded as the King of Italian Opera.

    • Died on January 27, 1901.

Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)

  • Birth and Education

    • Born on December 22, 1858 in Lucca, Italy.

    • Educated at the seminary of San Michele in Lucca and at a cathedral seminary.

    • Received a scholarship from Queen Margherita of Italy to attend the Milan Conservatory, the best music school in Milan.

  • Death

    • Died in Brussels on November 29, 1924 due to complications from treatment for throat cancer.

Richard Wagner (1813-1883)

  • Birth and Education

    • Born on May 22, 1813 in Leipzig, Germany.

    • Attempted formal studies in violin and music theory at age 16, but abandoned both.

    • Self-taught by studying scores of Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn.

  • Struggles and Benefactor

    • Experienced constant financial difficulties throughout his life.

    • Financial situation improved in 1864 when King Ludwig II became his benefactor.

  • Concept of Opera

    • Developed the idea of Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art), emphasizing a perfect blend of:

    • Stagecraft

    • Music

    • Visual arts

    • Literature

    • Designed the Bayreuth Festival Theater specifically for his operatic performances.

  • Innovations in Music

    • Utilized leitmotifs, defined as "leading motives," to unify music and enhance dramatic aspects of his operas.