Mysliveček, Josef 03/09/1737 - 02/04/1781

* 03/09/1737 in Prague, † 02/04/1781 in Rome. Composer. He gave up his studies at Prague University. in 1753 to become a musician. Initially a violinist, he studied counterpoint and organ and began composing. In 1763 he went to Venice for further studies. From 1765 M.'s operas had great success on Italian stages, especially in Naples (Court Theater and San Carlo). In 1770 he met L. and W. A. Mozart in Bologna/I, in 1771 he was admitted to the ''Accademia Filarmonica'' there. He made trips to Prague (1768), Vienna (1772) and Munich (1777/78, second meeting with Mozart). Afterwards he was active in Venice, Milan and finally in Rome, where he died impoverished. His melodic style, which ideally emphasizes the voice, made M. one of the most famous opera composers of the 18th century.