Artist Info: Josef Starzer

Josef Starzer (b Vienna, 1726, d Vienna, 22 Apr. 1787) was a violinist in the orchestra of the Viennese Burgtheater. As an established composer of ballets, ca. 1759-60 he followed the Viennese choreographer Hilverding to St. Petersburg, where he became concertmaster and court composer. He eventually returned to Vienna (ca. 1768), where he continued to write ballets. Among the most successful of this period were Roger et Bradamante (1771), Adèle de Ponthieu (1773), and Gli Orazi e gli Curiazi (1774). [read more...]