A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Cousser, Johann

COUSSER or KUSSER, Johann Sigismund, son of a musician at Presburg; born there 1657, died in Dublin 1727. He studied six years in Paris under Lulli, and on his return to Germany was appointed chapel-master at Wolfenbüttel, and at Stuttgart. He lived at Hamburg from 1693 to 1697, conducting the performances at the opera, and is said to have been one of the first to introduce the Italian method of singing into Germany. Between 1700 and 1705 he made two journeys to Italy for study. Soon after, he came to London, and in 1710 received an appointment in the Cathedral of Dublin, of which he called himself chapel-master. He was also conductor of the King's band in Ireland until his death. His published works comprise the operas 'Erindo' (1693) 'Porus,' 'Pyramus and Thisbe' (1694), 'Scipio Africanus' (1695), and 'Jason' (1697), all performed at Hamburg; 'Apollon enjoué,' six operatic overtures and airs; an opera 'Ariadne'; and 'Heliconische Musenlust,' a collection of airs from Ariane (Nuremberg 1700); an Ode on the death of Arabella Hunt; and a 'Serenade' for the King's birthday (1724).

[ M. C. C. ]