Fielitz, Alexander von

1860-

Well-known composer and conductor, who was born in Leipsic, and became a pupil of J. Schulhoff in piano, and studied composition under Kretschmer at Dresden. While a student in Dresden von Fielitz wrote numerous sacred compositions and an orchestral work, which was performed in public with great success. He was appointed conductor of the opera at Zurich, at Leipsic and at Lübeck, but ill-health forced him to give up his work in Germany and he went to Italy, remaining there twelve years and devoting himself wholly to composition. In 1900, von Fielitz returned to Berlin from Italy, and there conducted grand opera in the Theatre des Westens. He was the vice-president of the Stern Conservatorium in that city until 1905. In that year he came to America, at the suggestion of Dr. Ziegfeld, and became an instructor in the Chicago Musical College. In the spring of 1907, von Fielitz made a long tour through the western states and in Canada with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as conductor. He resides in Chicago, teaching composition, piano, voice and the theory of music and conducting the Germania Maennerchor. Von Fielitz has written many charming songs; piano pieces; pieces for the violin; two operas and a cantata besides other music. His opera, Vendetta, was produced at Lübeck, Hanover, in 1889, and during the season of 1907 was given at Philadelphia in concert form. His other opera, Das Stille Dorf (The Silent Village), was brought out at Hamburg in 1900 and was afterward given with success at Bremen, Ulm and Lübeck. Of the composer's song cycles, Eliland and Schoen-Gretlein (Fair Jessie), are the best known in the United States. Von Fielitz's latest compositions are a cycle, The Lily Maid; ten songs and a cantata, The God and the Maid. He has also composed two suites for orchestra; six Tuscan songs, the popular song, Heart-Forgetfulness, and others. Von Fielitz was married in 1886 to Fraulein Maria Leonardi at Loschwitz, near Dresden.