Wolf, Max

Austrian composer; born at Weisskirchen, Moravia, Feb., 1840; died in Vienna March 23, 1886. His father, a wealthy business man, desired him to pursue a commercial career, but Max early evinced a marked inclination for music. He began studying composition at the age of sixteen, later continuing his studies under A. B. Marx in Berlin and Otto Dessof in Vienna. It is told that General von Moltke, having heard one of Wolf's productions played at a concert in Berlin, requested the artist to compose a military march, "that a bit o' fire may get into the boys."

In his earlier compositions Wolf somewhat imitatedthe style of Offenbach; but later he acquired more originality and inventive talent. Among his works may be mentioned: "Die Schule der Liebe" (1868), a one-act operetta, which passed through thirty-four consecutive performances in Berlin under the title "Die Blaue Dame"; "Im Namen des Königs," an operetta, performed in Berlin and on various other German stages; "Die Porträtdame," staged at Gratz and in Vienna; "Die Pilger" (Vienna, 1872), a three-act opera; "Cesarine"; and "Rafaela."

Bibliography:

  * Scribner's Cyclopedia of Music and Musicians;
  * Wurzbach, Biog. Lex.;
  * Allgemeine Zeitung, 1886, p. 1262;
  * Neue Freie Presse, 1886, No. 7750.



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