Joseph Lange
Joseph Lange entered the world on the 1st of April 1751 in Würzburg, then part of the Holy Roman Empire. He began his professional life as an actor and amateur painter during the 18th century. His first marriage took place in 1775 with Maria Anna Elisabeth Schindler. She was the daughter of Philipp Ernst Schindler, a miniature painter who directed painting at the Viennese porcelain factory. This union produced no surviving children before tragedy struck. Maria Anna died on the 14th of March 1779 from pneumonia.
Lange married soprano Aloysia Weber in Vienna on the 31st of October 1780. That same year he agreed to support her widowed mother Cäcilia with an annual payment of 700 florins. The connection deepened when Mozart married Aloysia's younger sister Constanze in 1782. This event made Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Lange's brother-in-law. Written records show the two families socialized together frequently. Both men were also Freemasons, sharing membership in that organization. Their friendship persisted through various documented occasions over the years.
In 1783, Joseph Lange performed in one of Mozart's works known as a Masquerade. This piece functioned as a pantomime with music composed for Carnival. The characters represented traditional figures of the Commedia dell'arte tradition. Lange played the role of Pierrot while Mozart himself took the part of Harlequin. Two years later, in 1786, Lange appeared in another work by Mozart called Der Schauspieldirektor. He took the spoken role of Herz during this production. His wife Aloysia sang one of the two primary soprano roles as Madame Herz.
By 1795, Lange lived separated from his wife Aloysia Weber. In 1808 he published an autobiography titled Biographie des Joseph Lange. From around 1800 onward, he lived with Therese Koch and they had three daughters together. The tenor Michael Kelly wrote in 1826 reminiscences calling Lange an excellent comedian. Kelly spent his early career years in Vienna as an opera singer before writing those words. Lange continued to paint into his old age despite these life changes.
Lange painted his famous portrait of his brother-in-law between 1782 and 1783. The original artwork was a miniature measuring about 19 centimeters by 15 centimeters showing only Mozart's face. Musicologist Michael Lorenz discovered in March 2009 that the painting was later affixed to a larger canvas. The enlarged version remained unfinished with the intention to portray Mozart seated at a piano. Constanze Mozart stated in old age interviews that this work was by far the best likeness of her husband. He also created a small portrait of Constanze in 1782 which was later enlarged. During Leopold Mozart's visit to Vienna in 1785, Lange drew a portrait of him as well. That specific drawing is now lost to history.
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Common questions
When and where was Joseph Lange born?
Joseph Lange entered the world on the 1st of April 1751 in Würzburg, then part of the Holy Roman Empire. He began his professional life as an actor and amateur painter during the 18th century.
Who were the wives of Joseph Lange and when did he marry them?
Joseph Lange married Maria Anna Elisabeth Schindler in 1775 and later married soprano Aloysia Weber in Vienna on the 31st of October 1780. He lived separated from his wife Aloysia Weber by 1795 and later lived with Therese Koch from around 1800 onward.
What is the relationship between Joseph Lange and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart?
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart became Joseph Lange's brother-in-law after marrying Aloysia Weber's younger sister Constanze in 1782. Both men were Freemasons who socialized together frequently over the years.
Which roles did Joseph Lange perform in works by Mozart?
In 1783 Joseph Lange performed the role of Pierrot in a Masquerade pantomime composed for Carnival. Two years later in 1786 he appeared in Der Schauspieldirektor taking the spoken role of Herz while his wife sang as Madame Herz.
When was the famous portrait of Mozart painted by Joseph Lange created?
Joseph Lange painted his famous portrait of his brother-in-law between 1782 and 1783. The original artwork was a miniature measuring about 19 centimeters by 15 centimeters showing only Mozart's face before being affixed to a larger canvas in March 2009.