Franz von Holstein

Coming from the Cadet Corps, Holstein joined the Infantry Regiment [de] as Second Leutnant on 6 October 1845 and took part in the First Schleswig War against Denmark in 1848/49.

Already during his officer training, he composed the opera Zwei Nächte in Venedig as well as Lieder and ballads.

In 1853, he came to Leipzig, where he studied counterpoint with Moritz Hauptmann and had piano lessons with Ignaz Moscheles.

In addition to three operas, he wrote two overtures, a cantata, chamber music works and piano pieces and had an outstanding reputation as a Lieder composer.

[1] Holstein died in Leipzig at the age of 52 and was buried in the Friedenspark (now Lapidarium Alter Johannisfriedhof).