Robert Franz (Composer)

Robert Franz was born June 28, 1815 in Halle, Germany.  He was one of the most gifted of German song writers.  As a child, his parents blatantly disproved of his desire to pursue a musical career.  A the age of twenty, he began his formal music studies of the Organ.  Later in life, he filled various public offices, including those of organist to the city, conductor of the Sing-Akademie and of the Symphony concerts, and he was also a royal music-director and master of the music at the university.  In 1841, he became deaf and developed a nervous disorder, which forced him to resign from his duties to the community.