Pauwels, Jean Engelbert

1768-1804

 

German violinist; born at Brussels. His father was a musician, and Jean early showed his musical bent. As a boy he was a good violinist, and after studying in his native city he went to Paris when about twenty years old, finishing his musical education under Lesueur. He played the violin in the Italian Opera at the Theatre Feydeau at Paris, and in 1790 led the orchestra at the Strasburg Theatre. The next year he returned to Brussels, where he became first violin, and, in 1794, conductor of the theatre. After that he spent much time composing, and his three f operas, La Maisonette dans le Bois; L'Auteur malgre lui; and Leontine et Fonrose, a four-act opera, considered his masterpiece, were produced successfully at Brussels between 1791 and 1800. He also wrote concertos; three string quartets; and six duets for violin; besides symphonies; violin concertos; and masses in manuscript. He died at Brussels.