Abbot, Franz

composer

born: 22.12.1819 in Eilenburg (Saxony)

died: 31.03.1885 in Wiesbaden

Abt attended the Thomasschule in Leipzig (also a member of the Thomanerchor), but - after a few semesters of theology - turned his attention entirely to music. In 1841, he became choir director at the Zürcher ≫Aktientheater ≪ and conducted various choral societies, including concerts of the ≫Allgemeine Musikgesellschaft ≪ from 1845. From 1852, he worked as court conductor in Braunschweig, where he devoted himself - as conductor and composer - particularly to choral singing.

He accompanied concert tours to London, Paris, Moscow, St. Petersburg and (1872) the United States. In 1882 he took up residence in Wiesbaden. His compositions - over 3,000 works, mainly (male) choral and piano songs - are characterized by simplicity and a flowing melody that is easy to sing. His grave is in the North Cemetery. A street in Wiesbaden is named after Abt.