A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Umlauf, Ignaz

UMLAUF, Ignaz, popular dramatic composer in his day, born 1756, in Vienna, where he died June 8, 1796. In 1772 he entered the orchestra of the Court Theatre as violin-player, in 1778 became Capellmeister of the German Singspiel, in 1789 deputy Capellmeister (with Salieri as chief) at the Court Theatre, and later was associated with Weigl in a similar manner at the Opera. His first opera, 'I Rovinati,' was composed to Italian words by Boccherini (Court Theatre, 1772). When the Emperor Joseph instituted the national Singspiel (for which Mozart composed the Entführung') he pitched upon Umlauf to start it, and his 'Bergknappen' was the first German Singspiel produced at the Burgtheater (Feb. 17, 1778). This was succeeded by 'Die Apotheke'; 'Die pucefarbenen Schuhe,' or 'Die schöne Schusterin' (long a favourite with the charming singer Mme. Weiss in the principal part) (1779); 'Das Irrlicht,' comic opera in 3 acts, with Mme. Lange; and 'Der Oberamtmann und die Soldaten' (after Calderon), a 5-act play with airs and serenade (1782); 'Die glücklichen Jäger,' and 'Der Ring der Liebe,' both Singspiele (1786). These operas are all distinguished by a pleasing style, a fine flow of melody, and plenty of striking tunes. Umlauf never left Vienna but once, and that was in 1790, when he went with Salieri and a part of the Court band to the Coronation of the Emperor Leopold II. at Frankfort.^[1] A set of variations on the favourite air from 'Das Irrlicht,' 'Zu Steffan sprach in Traume,' composed for the celebrated bass-singer Fischer, was long attributed to Mozart, but they were really written by Eberl (see Köchel's 'Mozart Catalogue,' Appendix V. No. 288). Pianoforte scores appeared of 'Die schöne Schusterin' and 'Das Irrlicht,' while several of the airs from the other Singspiele were published singly or in arrangements. Umlauf's son

Michael, born 1781 in Vienna, died June 20, 1842, at Baden, near Vienna, was violinist at the opera, in 1804 began to compose ballets, was Capellmeister of the two Court Theatres from 1810 to 1825, and engaged again in 1840. He is said to have been a clever musician, published PF. sonatas, etc., and composed a Singspiel, 'Der Grenadier' (Kärnthnerthor Theatre, 1812). His chief interest however is the important part he took in the performance of Beethoven's works. On these occasions they both acted as conductors, Umlauf standing by the side of, or behind, Beethoven; but it was his beat only which the orchestra followed, as Beethoven, either carried away by his impetuosity went too fast, as at the performance of Fidelio in 1814, or, owing to his deafness, lost the time altogether, as at concerts in 1814, 1819, and 1824. At the first two performances of the 9th Symphony in May 1824, Beethoven merely gave the tempo at the commencement of each movement, an arrangement which the programme announced in the following diplomatic terms, 'Herr Schuppanzigh will lead the orchestra, and Herr Capellmeister Umlauf conducts the whole performance. Herr L. v. Beethoven will take part in conducting the whole performance.'

[ C. F. P. ]

1. Mozart was there too, but in a private capacity, and at his own expense; he gave a concert, at which he played himself.