The ballet Prinzessin Turandot, performed at the Dresden Semperoper in 1944, marked the initial stage success for Gottfried von Einem. A figure of mid-twentieth-century European music, this Austrian composer navigated the complex cultural landscapes of Berlin, Vienna, and Salzburg, leaving a legacy defined by operas based on literature and his commitment to humanitarian aid during the Second World War.
Early Career and Training
Born in 1918 in Bern, Einem spent his formative years in Prussia. In 1937, he relocated to Berlin to study at the State School of Music under Paul Hindemith. His professional trajectory benefited from the mentorship of conductors and directors, securing a position as a répétiteur at the Berlin State Opera while also assisting Heinz Tietjen at the Bayreuth Festival. His compositional training deepened under Boris Blacher, leading to early orchestral performances such as the 1943 debut of his Capriccio (Op. 2) by the Berlin Philharmonic.
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During the conflict in Berlin, Einem facilitated the survival of the young Jewish musician Konrad Latte. By securing a ration book and Reich Musicians' Chamber membership for Latte, and providing access to the State Opera, Einem protected him from persecution. His efforts to assist Latte in sustaining a career under extreme circumstances led to his 2002 recognition as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem.
Operatic and Orchestral Contributions
Einem gained international recognition following the 1947 Salzburg Festival premiere of his opera Dantons Tod. His catalog featured works adapted from major authors, including Franz Kafka’s The Trial and Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s The Visit of the Old Lady. In 1973, the United Nations commissioned his cantata An die Nachgeborenen to mark its anniversary, which later premiered in New York under the baton of Carlo Maria Giulini.
Later Years and Legacy
Following his marriage to his second wife, the playwright Lotte Ingrisch, in 1966, Einem intensified his collaborative work, setting her libretti to music in his later operas. He served as a university teacher in Vienna and held memberships in prestigious institutions, including the Academy of Arts in Berlin. He died in 1996 in Maissau and is interred at the Hietzing Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1918, Bern
- Died: 1996, Maissau
- Primary Occupations: Composer, conductor, university teacher
- Notable Recognition: Righteous Among the Nations (2002)
- Significant Work: Dantons Tod (1947)
- Major Commission: An die Nachgeborenen (1973)
- Burial Site: Hietzing Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What influence did literature have on his operas?
He focused on musical adaptations of existing drama and novels, specifically those by Georg Büchner, Franz Kafka, Johann Nestroy, Friedrich Dürrenmatt, and Friedrich Schiller.
What was his connection to the United Nations?
In 1973, the United Nations commissioned him to write the cantata An die Nachgeborenen to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the organization's founding.
Achievements
- City of Vienna Prize for Music — 1958
- Righteous Among the Nations — 2002
- Worked as classical composer, university teacher and librettist
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