Otto Dütsch (1823-1863) - Danish/Russian composer

[Christopher]

While on the subject of music about Croatia by non-Croatians (see my post just now about Alexandr Ilyinsky), I came across a totally new (to me) Russian-Danish composer: Otto Johann Anton Dütsch (1823-1863).  He wrote an opera called "The Croatian Girl" (or "Kroaterinden" in German (?); "Kroatka" in Russian") which (according to wikipedia) enjoyed success in St. Petersburg.

https://imslp.org/wiki/The_Croatian_Girl_(D%C3%BCtsch%2C_Otto)

Otto Johann Anton Dütsch (also Otton Ivanovich Dyutsh;[1] May 25, 1823 – April 23, 1863) was a Danish composer, who worked in St. Petersburg for most of his short career.

He was the son of Joachim Dütsch who worked for the Danish finance ministry, but was also a music teacher at the Blind Institute. As a 5-year-old junior Dütsch was taught by Giuseppe Siboni at the Copenhagen Conservatory. In 1840 he went to Dessau in Germany to study for 3 years. He then travelled to St. Petersburg in Russia, where he established himself as a music teacher. In 1852 he became chorus repetiteur and organist at the Imperial Russian Theatre in St. Petersburg, and in 1862 professor of music theory there. He died in 1863 in Frankfurt.

The most notable of his works is the opera Kroaterinden (The Croatian Girl), which was successfully produced in St. Petersburg in 1860 with success, with excerpts played in Copenhagen in 1866 at the Euterpe music society. In addition he wrote songs and piano music.    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_D%C3%BCtsch

There's an aria on youtube (for mezzo-soprano and piano) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOPPKLEiiHM

[semloh]

Thanks for that, Christopher.

And many thanks to englishcomposer for uploading the Overture from The Croatian Girl. I've never heard of the composer or the opera, but I think this overture is a delight, and beautifully played by the Danish orchestra.

[regriba]

Thanks from me as well. Not that it matters all that much, but the title "Kroaterinden" is definitely in Danish, not German.

[Christopher]

Thanks for that, Christopher.

And many thanks to englishcomposer for uploading the Overture from The Croatian Girl. I've never heard of the composer or the opera, but I think this overture is a delight, and beautifully played by the Danish orchestra.

Not at all Semloh, I'm always happy to share discoveries, esp Russian and "Russian", as you know.  By the way the overture was uploaded by britishcomposer, not englishcomposer 

[semloh]

britishcomposer, not englishcomposer

.... oops! 

[Martin Eastick]

I have a copy of the following work by Othon J A Dütsch - Grande Sonate pour le piano seul, composé et dédiée à son ami Victor Kazynski, Op24. Plate number F.L(ucca presumably?) No 636. I have had this for many years and can't remember exactly where I bought it from now - and can also mention that it lacks a full title page/wrapper (perhaps there never was one as the full title and dedication is laid out at the top of the first page of music!), consists of 18 pages, and is in a single movement - in the key of F sharp minor.

I suppose it could be described as a bit of a curio really, and that is the main reason I held on to it, as I have to admit that, having read through it, it is not the most inspiring work! Nevertheless, I would be interested to know more if anyone has any further information to add...............

[Christopher]

There's an aria on youtube (for mezzo-soprano and piano) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOPPKLEiiHM

This aria sounds like it is trying to be Schubert's Swan Song (NOT a criticism) - it's rather lovely.