Franz Xaver Niemetschek

He was made a freeman of Plzeň and Prague for his many valuable contributions to the arts, e.g. as director of the institute for the deaf and dumb.

He lived near the residence of Josepha Duschek in the Liechtenstein Palace in the Malá Strana quarter of Prague and was a frequent visitor at the musical gatherings in Bertramka.

[1] However, he welcomed Mozart's two surviving sons, Karl and Wolfgang Jr., into his home in the Lesser Quarter and became a foster father figure to them.

As the biography makes clear, Niemetschek was very proud of his Czech nationality, and he strongly emphasizes the warm reception that Mozart received during his visits to Prague.

Based on research by Austrian scholar Walther Brauneis [de], severe doubt has recently been cast on the veracity of Niemetschek's claim that he actually made Mozart's personal acquaintance.