HAYDN, (Johann) Michael
b Rohrau, Austria, 14 September 1737
d Salzburg, 10 August 1806, aged sixty-eight

The younger brother of Joseph Haydn, he was a chorister at St Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna, from 1745 to 1754, succeeding his brother as principal soloist. He became a violinist, organist and academic, teaching himself composition. In 1757 he was appointed Kapellmeister to the Bishop of Grosswardien; in 1762 he became conductor of the Sahburg court orchestra; and in 1777 was appointed organist of the churches of Holy Trinity and St Peter. In 1768 he married the singer Maria Magdalene, who took principal soprano parts in several of Mozart's early operas. When Sahburg was taken by the French in 1800 Michael's property was seized, but his brother sent money and he also received valuable commissions from such influential people as the Empress Maria Theresa and Prince Esterhazy. He had much influence on Mozart, with whom he collaborated in some of his works. He left a large number of masses and other sacred works; fourteen secular cantatas; about fifty songs and well over a hundred unaccompanied vocal works; forty-three symphonies; twelve concertos; thirty divertimenti; thirteen other works for orchestra; many minuets and marches; twelve string quartets and other chamber works.