Julius Benedict
(1804-1885)
13 April 1862

Volume 6, page 195, sitting number 7650. 

The composer and conductor Julius Benedict was born on 27 November 1804 in Stuttgart, where his father was a banker. 

‘[A]t an early age [he] showed so much musical talent that, having commenced his studies under Hummel, at Weimar, he was introduced to the notice of Weber, who, though he had always refused to take pupils, was induced to alter his resolution in Benedict’s favour. From the beginning of 1821 till the end of 1824 he had the benefit of Weber’s exclusive instruction, and was treated by him rather as a son than as a pupil. At the age of seventeen he was, on Weber’s recommendation, engaged to conduct the German opera at Vienna, and was afterwards employed in a similar capacity at the San Carlo and the Fondo at Naples. In 1827 his first dramatic attempt, an opera in two acts […] was produced at the Fondo, but, being essentially German in style, it did not please the Neapolitan public. His first English opera, “The Gypsy Warning,” was produced in 1838 with remarkable success. […] He has written many pieces for the pianoforte, of which instrument he was a great master, besides orchestral and vocal compositions of excellence. The musical festivals of Norwich, the London Monday Popular, and Liverpool Philharmonic concerts were for a considerable time under his direction. In 1850 he accompanied Jenny Lind, as conductor and pianist, to the United States and Havannah [sic], and shared in her unexampled success in a series of 122 concerts. After his return to England, he […] conducted the Italian operas at Drury Lane and Her Majesty’s Theatre during the seasons of 1859 and 1860. […] In 1862 his most popular opera, “The Lily of Killarney,” was produced at Covent Garden, and subsequently at the principal theatres in Germany. […] His last choral work — the oratorio “St Peter,” written expressly for the Birmingham Musical Festival, 1870 — achieved an extraordinary success, and is considered by far his best composition. The honour of knighthood was conferred on him by the Queen, March 24, 1871’ (Glasgow Evening Post, 5 June 1885). 

Sir Julius Benedict died, aged 80, at his home in London’s Manchester Square, on 5 June 1885. 

He had three daughters and two sons with his first wife, Therese. At some point in his life he converted from Judaism to Christianity.