Carl Tseller Austrian composer Date of Birth: 19.06.1842 Country: Austria

Biography of Karl Czeller

Karl Czeller was an Austrian composer and a renowned figure in Viennese operetta. He was born into a family of physicians, but unfortunately, his father passed away less than a year after his birth. Czeller's passion for music blossomed at a young age, and he joined the Vienna Boys' Choir, where he showcased his vocal talents.

In 1869, Czeller pursued a legal education at the University of Vienna while simultaneously studying composition under the tutelage of Simon Sechter. He embarked on a career in the Ministry of Education while composing songs, chorales, and, from 1876 onwards, operettas during his free time. His first operetta, "Jocunda," garnered great success in both Vienna and Leipzig.

In 1875, Czeller married Anna Maria Schwetz, and together they had a fruitful life. Czeller went on to become the author of numerous operettas, but two of his works stood out as particularly popular: "The Bird Seller" (1891) and "The Miner" (1894).

However, in 1895, Czeller's life took a tragic turn. He was dismissed from the Ministry, arrested, and accused of perjury. To add to his misfortunes, he suffered a spinal injury from a fall, leading to lifelong pain and subsequent mental distress. Johannes Brandt took on the completion of Czeller's final operetta. Czeller's health deteriorated, and he passed away shortly after.

List of Operettas by Karl Czeller:
- "Jocunda" (1876)
- "The Fornarina" (1878)
- "Captain Nicoll, or The Carbonari" (1880)
- "The Vagabond" (1886)
- "The Bird Seller" (1891)
- "The Miner" (1894)
- "The Cellar Master" (1901, posthumous)