Johann(es) Simon Mayr (also spelled Majer, Mayer, Maier), also known in Italian as Giovanni Simone Mayr or Simone Mayr (14 June 1763 – 2 December 1845), was a German

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and Defi ...

. His music reflects the transition from the Classical to the Romantic musical era. He was an early inspiration to

Rossini Gioachino Antonio Rossini (29 February 1792 – 13 November 1868) was an Italian composer who gained fame for his 39 operas, although he also wrote many songs, some chamber music and piano pieces, and some sacred music. He set new standards f ...

and taught and advocated for

Donizetti Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti (29 November 1797 – 8 April 1848) was an Italian composer, best known for his almost 70 operas. Along with Gioachino Rossini and Vincenzo Bellini, he was a leading composer of the '' bel canto'' opera style dur ...

Life

He was born in Mendorf near

Altmannstein Altmannstein (Central Bavarian: ''Oidmannstoa'') is a municipality in the district of Eichstätt in Bavaria in Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populo ...

Landkreis Eichstätt In all German states, except for the three city states, the primary administrative subdivision higher than a '' Gemeinde'' (municipality) is the (official term in all but two states) or (official term in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia ...

Bavaria Bavaria ( ; ), officially the Free State of Bavaria (german: Freistaat Bayern, link=no ), is a state in the south-east of Germany. With an area of , Bavaria is the largest German state by land area, comprising roughly a fifth of the total lan ...

, and studied

theology Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of analyzing the ...

at the

University of Ingolstadt The University of Ingolstadt was founded in 1472 by Louis the Rich, the Duke of Bavaria at the time, and its first Chancellor was the Bishop of Eichstätt. It consisted of five faculties: humanities, sciences, theology, law, and medicine, all o ...

, continuing his studies in Italy from 1787. He was closely associated with the

Illuminati The Illuminati (; plural of Latin ''illuminatus'', 'enlightened') is a name given to several groups, both real and fictitious. Historically, the name usually refers to the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded on ...

Adam Weishaupt Johann Adam Weishaupt (; 6 February 1748 – 18 November 1830)''Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie'Vol. 41, p. 539Engel, Leopold. ''Geschichte des Illuminaten-ordens''. Berlin: H. Bermühler Verlag, 1906.van Dülmen, Richard. ''Der Geheimbund der Ill ...

while a student in Ingolstadt, and the ideals of the

French Enlightenment French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with France ...

were a strong influence on his philosophy as a musician as corroborated by his famed ''Zibaldone'' or "Notebooks" compiled toward the end of his career. Shortly thereafter, he took music lessons with Carlo Lenzi, and later with

Ferdinando Bertoni Ferdinando Bertoni (15 August 1725 – 1 December 1813) was an Italian composer and organist. Early years He was born in Salò, and began his music studies in Brescia, not far from his birthplace. Around 1740 he went to Bologna, where he studied ...

. He moved to

Bergamo Bergamo (; lmo, Bèrghem ; from the proto- Germanic elements *''berg +*heim'', the "mountain home") is a city in the alpine Lombardy region of northern Italy, approximately northeast of Milan, and about from Switzerland, the alpine lakes Como ...

in 1802 and was appointed ''

maestro di cappella (, also , ) from German ''Kapelle'' (chapel) and ''Meister'' (master)'','' literally "master of the chapel choir" designates the leader of an ensemble of musicians. Originally used to refer to somebody in charge of music in a chapel, the term ha ...

'' at the Cathedral of Bergamo, succeeding his old teacher Lenzi. He held the post until his death, and became a central figure in the city's musical life, organizing concerts and introducing

Ludwig van Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 177026 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. Beethoven remains one of the most admired composers in the history of Western music; his works rank amongst the most performed of the classical ...

's music there. He was music teacher to

Gaetano Donizetti Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti (29 November 1797 – 8 April 1848) was an Italian composer, best known for his almost 70 operas. Along with Gioachino Rossini and Vincenzo Bellini, he was a leading composer of the '' bel canto'' opera style dur ...

. By the end of his life, he was blind. He died in

and is buried in the

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore The Basilica of Saint Mary Major ( it, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, ; la, Basilica Sanctae Mariae Maioris), or church of Santa Maria Maggiore, is a Major papal basilica as well as one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome and the larges ...

there, just in front of the tomb of his famous pupil. Mayr's works, among which there are almost seventy

opera Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librett ...

s, are rarely performed today.

Works

See

List of compositions by Simon Mayr This is a selective list of the works of the German composer Simon Mayr (1763–1845) who is credited with a total of some 600 compositions, including 70 operas. Operas See List of operas by Simon Mayr Other secular vocal music Cantatas ...

and

List of operas by Simon Mayr This is a complete list of operas by Simon Mayr (1763 – 1845); for his other compositions see List of compositions by Simon Mayr. List References Notes Sources * Balthazar, Scott L (1992), "Mayr, Simon" in ''The New Grove Dictionary of Oper ...

Recordings

*''

Ginevra di Scozia ''Ginevra di Scozia'' is an opera in two acts by Simon Mayr set to an Italian libretto by Gaetano Rossi based on Antonio Salvi's ''Ginevra, principessa di Scozia'', which in turn was adapted from cantos 5 and 6 of Ludovico Ariosto's ''Orlando F ...

'' -

Elizabeth Vidal Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to: People * Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name) * Elizabeth (biblical figure), mother of John the Baptist Ships * HMS ''Elizabeth'', several ships * ''Elisabeth'' (sch ...

(soprano);

Daniela Barcellona Daniela Barcellona (born 28 March 1969) is an Italian operatic mezzo-soprano. Biography Barcellona was born in Trieste, where she completed her musical studies under the guidance of Alessandro Vitiello, pianist and conductor. She married Viti ...

(mezzo-soprano); Antonino Siragusa (tenor); Luca Grassi (baritone); Giuseppina Piunti (soprano); Marco Lazzara (countertenor); Orchestra del

Teatro Verdi di Trieste The Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi is an opera house located in Trieste, Italy and named after the composer Giuseppe Verdi. Privately constructed, it was inaugurated as the Teatro Nuovo to replace the smaller 800-seat "Cesareo Regio Teatro di San Pie ...

; Tiziano Severini (conductor). Label:

Opera Rara Opera Rara is a London-based opera company and recording label which specialises in recording and performing forgotten operatic repertoire from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded in 1970 by bel canto enthusiasts Patric Schmid and Don Whi ...

ORC23 *'' Fedra'' (Chiaudani, Nelsen, Zagorski, Lee; Schaller) OEHMS Classics 920 *''Verter'' (Herrmann, Gemmabella, Cicchetti, Salsi, Zarelli; Terracini). Bongiovanni GB 2343–4. *''

Medea in Corinto ''Medea in Corinto'' (''Medea in Corinth'') is an 1813 opera in Italian by the composer Simon Mayr. It takes the form of a ''melodramma tragico'' in two acts. The libretto, by Felice Romani, is based on the Greek myth of Medea and the plays on t ...

'' ( Eaglen, Kenny,

Ford Ford commonly refers to: * Ford Motor Company, an automobile manufacturer founded by Henry Ford * Ford (crossing), a shallow crossing on a river Ford may also refer to: Ford Motor Company * Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company * Ford F ...

, Miles; Parry), Opera Rara ORC11

993 Year 993 ( CMXCIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Spring – The 12-year-old King Otto III gives the Sword of Saints Cosmas and Damian ...

* ''Konzert mit Schnitte von Werken von Johann Simon Mayr.'' Wilhelm Schmailzl, Karlskron

996 Year 996 ( CMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Japan * February - Chotoku Incident: Fujiwara no Korechika and Takaie shoot an arrow at Retired Em ...

* ''Samuele'' Fono-Schallplattengesellschaft, Laer

997 Year 997 (Roman numerals, CMXCVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Japan * 1 February: Empress Teishi gives birth to Princess Shushi - she is the first ...

* ''Grande messa da requiem'' Orchestra Stabile di Bergamo, Agora

* ''Stabat Mater No.3 in C-minor'' Incontri Europei con la Musica, Bongiovanni

999 999 or triple nine most often refers to: * 999 (emergency telephone number), a telephone number for the emergency services in several countries * 999 (number), an integer * AD 999, a year * 999 BC, a year Books * ''999'' (anthology) or ''999: T ...

* ''Che Originali! ossia La Musicomania'' Georgisches Kammerorchester, Guild

* ''Mass in C-minor'' Guild 001* ''La Passione'' Kammerorchester Ingolstadt, Guild

002 002, 0O2, O02, OO2, or 002 may refer to: Fiction *002, fictional British 00 Agent *''002 Operazione Luna'', *1965 Italian film *Zero Two, a ''Darling in the Franxx'' character Airports *0O2, Baker Airport *O02, Nervino Airport Astronomy *1996 ...

* ''Atalia'' Neue Düsseldorfer Hofmusik Guild

003 003, O03, 0O3, OO3 may refer to: *003, fictional British 00 Agent *003, former emergency telephone number for the Norwegian ambulance service (until 1986) *1990 OO3, the asteroid 6131 Towen * OO3 gauge model railway *''O03 (O2)'' and other related ...

* ''Vespri per il Corpus Domini 1802'' Orchestra da Camera Milano Classica, Bongiovanni 004* ''Sisara'' Accademia I Filarmonici di Verona, Simon Mayr Chor conducted by Franz Hauk Guild GmbH 2004 * ''L'Armonia'' and ''Cantata for the Death of Beethoven''. Ingolstadt Georgian Chamber Orchestra and Simon Mayr Choir, Naxos 006*'' La Rosa Bianca e la Rosa Rossa'' ( Antonacci, Anselmi, Serraicocca, Canonici, Facini; Briccetti) Fonit Cetra RFCD 2007 * ''David in Spelunca Engaddi'', Naxos

008 008, OO8, O08, or 0O8 may refer to: * The Streetwear Brand @008us , inspired by Ian Fleming & Virgil Abloh *"030", the fictional 030 Agent of MI6 * '' 038: Operation Exterminate'', a 1965 Italian action film * '' Explosivo 030'' a 1940 Argentine c ...

* '' L'amor coniugale'', Naxos,

* ''

Tobiae matrimonium ''Tobiae matrimonium, actio sacra pro filiabus chori S. Lazari'' is a 1794 oratorio by Simon Mayr to a Latin libretto by Giuseppe Maria Foppa Giuseppe Maria Foppa ( Venice, 12 July 1760 – Venice, 1 March 1845) was an Italian librettist. He wrot ...

'' Simon Mayr Chor + Ensemble, Naxos

009 009 may refer to: * OO9, gauge model railways * O09, FAA identifier for Round Valley Airport * 0O9, FAA identifier for Ward Field, see List of airports in California * British secret agent 009, see 00 Agent * BA 009, see British Airways Flight 9 * ...

* ''

'' Theater St. Gallen, Oehmsclassic 010* '' La Lodoiska'' Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Oehmsclassic 011* ''Amor ingegnoso'', Bongiovanni GB 2456-2

012 012 may refer to: * Tyrrell 012, a Formula One racing car * The dialing code for Pretoria Pretoria () is South Africa's administrative capital, serving as the seat of the executive branch of government, and as the host to all foreign embassie ...

* ''Samuele'', Naxos

* ''Demetrio, Re di Siria'', Oehmsclassic

* ''Innalzamento al trono del giovane re Gioas''. Cantata, Naxos

* ''Il sagrifizio di Jefte'', Oratorio, Naxos 013* ''Piano Concerto in C-major'' * ''Ginevra di Scozia'', Oehmsclassic 014* ''Gran messa di requiem in G-minor'', Naxos 015* ''Messa di Gloria in E-minor'', Naxos 021* ''Messa di Gloria in F-minor'', Naxos 021* ''L'accademia di musica'', Naxos 022

References

;Sources * Heinrich Bauer: ''Simon Mayr'' 1763–1845, Meister der italienischen Oper aus der bayerischen Oberpfalz''. (Munich : Bayer. Vereinsbank), 1983 * Franz Hauk: ''Johann Simon Mayr und Venedig''. (Munich : Katzbichler), 1999. - * John Stewart Allitt: ''Giovanni Simone Mayr - Vita, musica, pensiero''. (Villa di Serio (BG), Edizioni Villadiseriane), 1995 * Mahan Esfahani, ''Giovanni Simone Mayr's 'Ginevra di Scozia' and the Classical Aesthetic in Early Nineteenth-Century Italian Opera Seria''. (BA thesis, Stanford University), 2005

Film

* Martin Pfeil: ''Der vergessene Musiker: Johann Simon Mayer (1763-1845)''. INTV Media Ingolstadt, 1995 (VHS, 30 Min.)

External links

Simon-Mayr-Gesellschaft
* *
Simon Mayr Chor
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mayr, Johann Simon 1763 births 1845 deaths German Classical-period composers Italian people of German descent German opera composers Male opera composers People from Eichstätt (district) German Romantic composers 19th-century classical composers German male classical composers 19th-century German composers 19th-century German male musicians