Wuerst, Richard

1824-1881

Dramatic composer and critic; born in Berlin. Studied under Rungenhagen at the Royal Academy and also under Mendelssohn for composition. He studied violin under Hubert Ries, and later under David in Leipsic. After a tour during the years 1845 and 1846 in which he visited Leipsic, Frankfort, Brussels and Paris he returned to Berlin, where he became a professor of theory at Kullak's Conservatory. In 1856 he was appointed Royal music-director of the Academy of Arts, in 1874 professor and in 1877 member of it. He contributed to the Berliner Fremdenblatt and other musical periodicals and edited the Neue Berliner Musikzeitung during 1874 and 1875, He died in Berlin. Among his compositions are a number of operas, Der Rothmantel, Vineta, A-ing-fo-hi, Die Officiere der Kaiserin and others, the lyric cantata Der Wasserneck, two symphonies, overtures, a violin concerto, string quartets, and songs.