Franz Johann Habermann

Franz Johann Habermann (20 September 1706 – 7 April 1783), also known by his Czech name František Václav Habermann, was a Czech composer and musician.

Biography

Habermann was born in Königswart (Lázně Kynžvart) in 1706. He had two brothers (Anton and Karl Habermann) and received his education in Klattau (Klatovy). He studied music in Italy and was active in Spain and France.^[1] Habermann was made maître de chapelle to the Prince of Condé in Paris in 1731, then became maestro di cappella in service of the Grand Duke of Tuscany in Florence in 1740.^[2][3]

Returning to Bohemia on the occasion of the coronation of Maria Theresa in Prague, the composer was commissioned to write an opera for her. Conducting for two churches in Prague, the composer also gave lessons to students such as Josef Mysliveček and František Xaver Dušek.^[4] His son, Franz Johann II, was born in 1750 and received music education from him.^[1] In 1773, Habermann went to Eger (Cheb) as music director of a deanery. Habermann died in 1783, aged 77.^[4]

Among his published compositions are twelve masses (Prague, 1746) and six litanies (Prague, 1747).^[3] Another collection of six masses titled Philomela pia was published in 1747, being known outside of Bohemia. Most of his compositions, which include his early music before Habermann's return and other sacred works, have not survived or cannot be proven to be his. George Frideric Handel borrowed from some of Habermann's works.^[5] He composed more music, including other sacred music, several oratorios, symphonies, sonatas, however they remained in manuscript form.^[2]