Biography
An Austrian conductor and composer renowned chiefly for his operatic productions, Weigl pursued his training in Vienna under Witzig and Albrechtsberger, the latter serving as instructor at the grammar school during Weigl’s period of attendance. Instruction with Albrechtsberger lasted until 1782, although two years earlier his initial opera, “Die unnuntz Vorsicht,” earned praise from both Salieri and Gluck. Their support secured a staging at the Burgtheater, where Weigl gained exposure to works by Bach, Handel, and Graun. At nineteen Salieri obtained the father’s consent for composition lessons, an arrangement that soon led, through the same mentor, to an introduction at the court theater. That affiliation proved decisive, bringing Weigl the post of vice-Kapellmeister in 1790 and the combined roles of Kapellmeister and court composer in 1792. Offers extended during his travels to other cities included positions at the Stuttgart Opera and the Milan Conservatory, both declined out of fidelity to his lifetime court appointment. His operas encompass “Der Schweizerfamilie,” “Das Waisenhaus,” “La Principessa d’Amalfi”—hailed by his godfather Haydn as a masterpiece—and “Pigmalione.” Few of these scores received fewer than forty performances.