CARL GOTTLOB SCHMEIDLER (GERMAN, 1772-1838)

Dorette Spohr, née Scheidler was the wife of the German composer, violinist and conductor, Louis Spohr (1784-1859). In 1805, Spohr got a job as concert master at the court of Gotha, where he stayed until 1812. There he met the 18-year-old harpist and pianist Dorette Scheidler, daughter of one of the court singers, Susanna Scheidler. They were married on 2 February 1806, and lived happily until Dorette's death 28 years later. They performed successfully together as a violin and harp duo (Spohr having composed the Sonata in C minor for violin and harp for her), touring in Italy (1816-1817), England (1820) and Paris (1821), but Dorette later abandoned her harpist's career and concentrated on raising their family.