Haydn

— 3 a German mu: sical composer; born in Rohrau, on the borders of Hungary and Austria in 1732. On account of the excellence of his voice he was appointed a choir. boy at St. Stephen’s Church, Vienna. At the age of 16 his voice began tc break, and he lost his situation as 2 chorister. From 1761 to 1790 he was musical director to Prince Esterhazy, and composed dvring this period a great number oi works, including some 120 symphonic. for the orchestra 12 operas, ete: In 1798 he published his oratorio of the “ Creation,” and in 1800 that of the ‘“ Seasons.” Haydn’s principal merit consists in his opening up a new development of instrumental composition, of which his 125 orchestral symphonies furnisk abundant proof. He may be said tc be the originator of the symphony ané of the stringed quartette. He died ir 1809.