Koschat, Thomas

1845-

Composer and bass singer; born at Viktring, near Klagenfurt. He went to Vienna as a student of natural science, but, through Esser, joined the Court opera chorus, where  he soon became leader. In 1874 he joined the Cathedral Choir, and in 1878 the Hofkapelle. He is best known as a writer of Carinthian quartets for male voices, the first of which appeared in 1871. These proved so popular that he has written over a hundred, the poems as well as the music being in Carinthian dialect. In 1875 he organized the Karnthner Quintet, which has become very well known. Among his collections of songs his Liederspiel am Worthersee, which contains many of his favorites, is perhaps most popular. He has also written Volksstück mit Gesang, in four acts; Die Rosenthaler Nachtigall; and Der Burgermeister von St. Anna.