Mannstaedt, Franz

Conductor, Pianist, Composer

born: 08.07.1852 in Hagen/Westphalia

died: 18.01.1932 in Wiesbaden

After studying at the Stern Conservatory in Berlin, the highly respected conductor and pianist Mannstaedt's artistic career took him via Mainz and Meiningen to the Berlin Philharmonic. From 1887-93, he conducted the orchestra of the Wiesbaden Court Theater before taking over the direction of the Berlin Philharmonic again for three years. At this time there was a vacancy after Hans von Bülow, who led the Philharmoniker until 1893, and Arthur Nikisch, who became chief conductor for life from 1895.

From 1897 to 1924, Mannstaedt worked as Royal Music Director in Wiesbaden. Under his aegis, he made a lasting commitment to Richard Wagner's music dramas, including the first cyclical performance of the "Ring des Nibelungen". The most famous soloists of the time appeared in the concerts he conducted. In addition to his work for the music and concert scene, he promoted the work of the "Verein der Künstler und Kunstfreunde Wiesbaden e.V.", was often Max Reger's pianistic duo partner in its concerts and taught as a lecturer at the Wiesbaden Conservatory. He was buried in the South Cemetery to great public sympathy. A street in Biebrich is named after him.