Franz von Suppe

My first introduction to the music of Franz von Suppe was a youth orchestra performance of the Dichter und Bauer (Poet and Peasant) Overture in the 1960s. I found his music delightful and invigorating with its energy and lively melodies. I soon began to listen to his other overtures (this is about the only music of his that is commonly available today) and found even more appealing compositions among them. Today is the anniversary of his birth in 1819. Following his youth he was appointed to the post of third conductor at the Theater in der Josefstadt in 1840 at the age of 21. He would go on to create more than three hundred works for the stage and other compositions. Among them are my personal favorites, Ein Morgen, ein Mittag and ein Abend in Wien (Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna) and Die schone Galathee (The Beautiful Galatea). These overtures continue to be a delight for this listener.