Esser, Heinrich

1818-1872

German composer and conductor. He was a pupil of Lachner and Sechter in Vienna, directed the band and afterward was conductor in the Theatre of Mannheim, his native city. From 1847 he was director at the Karntnerthor Theatre, Vienna, and ten years later of the Court Opera, also conducting the Philharmonic concerts in the latter city for some years. His health failing, he was liberally pensioned, and his later years were spent in retirement in Salzburg. His compositions include the operas, Silas, The Two Princes, and Riquiqui; orchestral and chamber compositions; and male quartets and songs, the vocal numbers surpassing his larger works in charm and popularity. He is said to have been a most refined and admirable character, and an industrious composer, with much originality and beauty of idea.