Christoph Graupner

Christoph Graupner (1683–1760) was a master of the Baroque whose more than 1,400 cantatas, some operas, and numrous instrumental works remain a largely undiscovered treasure. This biography invites readers to rediscover him—from his early years as a Leipzig Thomasschule student, through the Hamburg opera stage, to his long tenure as Hofkapellmeister in Darmstadt. There, he shaped the musical life of his court and created works of remarkable expressiveness and color. Beate Sorg situates Graupner in the political, cultural, and social context of the 18th century, presenting his life vividly and with scholarly precision. The book offers fascinating insights for music enthusiasts and specialists alike. Sorg’s research focuses on 18th-century cultural history, with particular emphasis on Graupner, Telemann, and their contemporaries.