Friebert, (Johann) Joseph

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Friebert, (Johann) Joseph

Friebert, (Johann) Joseph, Austrian tenor and composer; b. Gnadendorf, Lower Austria (baptized), Dec. 5, 1724; d. Passau, Aug. 6, 1799. After vocal studies with Bonno, he entered the service of the Prince of SaxeHildburgshausen in Vienna. In 1755 he became a member of the Vienna Court Theater, and then was Kapellmeister to the Prince-Bishop of Passau from 1763 until his death. He was a composer of Singspiels, Italian operas, oratorios, and cantatas. His brother, Karl Frie-bert (b. Wullersdorf, Lower Austria, June 7, 1736; d. Vienna, Aug. 6, 1816), was also a tenor and composer. After singing in Eisenstadt (1759–76), he settled in Vienna as Kapellmeister to the two Jesuit churches and the Minorite Church.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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