František Xaver Dušek

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František Xaver Dušek (Franz Xaver Dussek) (bapt. December 8, 1731 in Choteborky - February 12, 1799 in Prague) was a Czech composer and one of the most important harpsichordists and pianists of his time.

Dušek was taught on the harpsichord in Vienna by Georg Christoph Wagenseil and established himself around 1770 in Prague as a successful keyboard teacher. Mozart was his guest in his Villa Bertramka in Kosiře, and finished at least two of his major works there: in 1787 the opera Don Giovanni and probably also La clemenza di Tito in 1791.

Dušek's wife Josepha Hambacher (March 7, 1753 in Prague - January 8, 1824 in Prague) had been taught by him and was a famous pianist and soprano. She sang important soprano roles in Mozart operas in early performances, and Mozart's concert aria Bella mia fiamma (catalogued as Köchel-Verzeichnis 528) was written for her ([1]).

Dušek composed sonatas, variations and concertos for harpsichord and piano and several symphonies and string quartets.