Erratum for… an autobiography. Flaws in Lebensbeschreibung by Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf
Lebensbeschreibung an autobiography by appreciated composer Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf (1739–1799) is an intriguing source of knowledge about musical life and the realities for the era for this outstanding artist. Unfortunately, it contains errors in chronology, inconsistencies, and mistakes which influenced all studies concerning Dittersdorf’s music and life. However, the autobiography lacks reliable information, concerning the origins of his father, Paul Ditters, the circumstances of hiring a young violinist for the court orchestra of prince Joseph Friedrich von Hildburghausen, and the chronology of the composer’s trip to Italy in 1763. There is also a lack of biographical details of Wrocław/Breslau bishop Philipp Gotthard von Schaffgotsch, financial matters of Dittersdorf’s activity in Vienna, circumstances of success of the singspiel Doktor und Apotheker, relations with Wrocław music society, and with the court of Friedrich August von Braunschweig in Oleśnica/Oels, the composer’s family circle, and his activity in the field of sacred music. According to a legend, Dittersdorf finished his autobiography two days before his death, but there are indications that he started writing his autobiography a year earlier. The aim of this article is to point out the flaws of Lebensbeschreibung, and to supplement the knowledge about Dittersdorf with verified information from historical records.
