Schaffer, August

1814-1879

Composer of operas, songs and choruses; born at Rheinsberg, Germany, and became a pupil of the chamber-musician, Breyer; then studied at Potsdam with Koch on the violin, piano with Bottcher, and with Scharthch in theory. He next studied at Berlin from 1833 with Mendelssohn, and organ with Birnbach. He passed most of his life in Berlin, and died there. He wrote numerous duets of a numerous nature, also quartets, all of which became extremely popular. Among his operas are Emma von Falkenstein, and Junker Habakuk. Schaffer also wrote symphonies; string quartets; and many songs and choruses.