Freudenberg, Wilhelm

1838-

German dramatic composer, who was born near Neuwied, Prussia, and Frickenhaus studied at the Leipsic Conservatory from 1858 to 1861, afterwards serving as chapelmaster at various theatres in German cities. He went to Wiesbaden in 1865 as conductor of two singing societies there, and in 1870 founded in that city a school of music which still flourishes. He was also conductor of the Singing Academy in that city until 1886, when he went to Berlin and opened a school of music there with K. Mengewein. Later he conducted the opera at Augsburg and at Ratisbon. Freudenberg wrote  several operas and also several comic operas. Belonging to the former class are Kleopatra, produced in 1882 at Magdeburg; Marino Faliero, given at Ratisbon in 1889, and Die Johannisnacht, produced in Vienna in 1896. He also wrote a symphonic poem, entitled A Day in Sorrento; incidental music to Romeo and Juliet; an overture; piano pieces and songs.