Carl ditters von dittersdorf biography of abraham

(1739 - 1799)

Composer and violin virtuoso; born Carl Ditters. Through service in Karl VI's army, his father had gained a position as costume designer in the imperial theater.

In 1750 the boy Carl obtained a post as violinist in Vienna's Schottenkircheorchestra.

Carl ditters von dittersdorf biography of abraham

Prince Joseph Friedrich von Sachsen-Hildburghausen noticed him and hired him for his court orchestra. There he studied violin with Francesco Trani and composition with Giuseppe Bonno; during this period he also became acquainted with Haydn and Gluck.

In 1761 he was made violinist for the imperial court theater, and in 1763 he traveled to Bologna with Gluck.

After a salary dispute with the imperial theater in 1764, Differs took a post as Kapellmeister for the court of Adam Patachich, Hungarian nobleman and Bishop of Grosswardein (Oradea, Romania).

There he composed mostly church music and Schuldramen; he lost his job in 1769 when Empress Maria Theresa denounced the bishop.