(b Treuenbrietzen, 20 Nov 1765; d Berlin, 8 June 1814). German composer. A talented pianist, he became chamber composer to the Prussian court in 1792. In 1793-5 he was in Italy, where he had two operas staged. Returning to Berlin, he became Kapellmeister (1795), but continued to make concert tours, and presented an opera seria at St Petersburg in 1799. His tuneful Singspiel Fanchon das Leyermädchen (1804, Berlin) enjoyed lasting success; he wrote his final stage work (1813) for Vienna. His other works include lieder, oratorios, sacred music, cantatas and instrumental pieces. He remained in favour at the Prussian court despite frequent drunkenness.
