Friedrich Heinrich Himmel

Himmel was born at Treuenbrietzen in Brandenburg, Prussia, and originally studied theology at Halle before turning to music.

[1] During a temporary stay at Potsdam he had an opportunity of showing his self-acquired skill as a pianist before King Frederick William II, who thereupon provided him with a yearly allowance to enable him to complete his musical studies.

In 1792, he went to Berlin, where his oratorio Isaaco was produced, in consequence of which he was made court Kapellmeister to the king of Prussia.

In that capacity he wrote a great deal of official music, including cantatas and a coronation Te Deum.

[1] His Italian operas, successively composed for Stockholm, St Petersburg and Berlin, were all received with great favour in their day.