NESSLER (actually Neßler), Viktor Ernst, *01/28/1841 Baldenheim (Alsace), †04/28/1890 Strasbourg; Alsatian composer. He studied Protestant theology and composition in Strasbourg. Excluded from the theological faculty due to his first musical works, he went to Leipzig in 1878 as conductor of the ''Carola Theatre''. From 1880 he devoted himself entirely to composition. Nessler remained known far beyond his lifetime as the creator of idyllically contemplative operas and catchy vocal works. The most successful was the ''Trumpeter von Säckingen'' from whom the song with the text ''Behüt' dich Gott, es wär' zu schön gewesen'' which became his motto, may still be heard today.