Subject

Composer of the Classical period - prominent and prolific. Born Austria as Franz Joseph Haydn. Aged 6 he was sent away to train as a musician. Worked primarily for the wealthy Esterházy family.

By the time he made his first visit Haydn had been popular in London for almost 10 years and had been called the “Shakespeare of music”. Both his visits to London in 1791-2 and 1794–5 were very successful and he enjoyed his time here. Died at home in Vienna.