A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Palffy, Ferdinand

PALFFY, Count Ferdinand von Erdöd, an enthusiastic amateur, born at Vienna, Feb. 1, 1774, died there Feb. 4. 1840. He was one of the committee of noblemen,^[1] who bought the Theatre an-der-Wien from Baron von Braun in 1807, and leased the two court theatres. When they quarrelled and parted, Palffy took on the theatre, and became his own manager, during the most brilliant period of its career. He also founded the dramatic benefit-fund which bears his name, and is still in existence. He engaged first-rate singers, and gave performances of a high order of merit, but the expenses were ruinous, and heavy losses obliged him to relinquish the undertaking at the close of 1821. He associated a good deal with Beethoven, who was wont however to speak with scant courtesy of Palffy and his opinion on matters of art.

[ C. F. P. ]

1. His associates in the undertaking were Prince Lobkowitz, Count Lodron, Count Zichy, Count Ferdinand Esterhazy, and Prince Nicholas Esterhazy, president.