Rastrelli, Joseph

1799-1842

German violinist and composer; born at Dresden; the son of Vincenzo Rastrelli (1760-1839), a well-known teacher of singing, and composer to the Court Chapel in Dresden. Joseph studied the violin under Poland, and harmony under Feidler, and in 1814 accompanied his father to Bologna, where he became a pupil in counterpoint of his father's former teacher, Mattei. Returning to Dresden in 1817 he became a violinist in the Court Orchestra, and in 1829 second conductor of the Court Opera; the next year he was appointed Court conductor. He composed several operas, produced at Ancona, Milan and Dresden; Salvator Rosa, given in the last named city in 1832, being the one of most importance; also motets, vespers and masses, one of the last in eight parts; a ballet, and incidental music to Macbeth.