Johann Christian Friedrich Hæffner

Who was Johann Christian Friedrich Hæffner?

Johann Christian Friedrich Hæffner was a German-born Swedish composer.

Hæffner received his first musical education with the Schmalkalden organist Johann Gottfried Vierling. He studied in Leipzig from 1776, and then worked as a music conductor in theatres in Frankfurt am Main and Hamburg 1778-1780. He moved to Stockholm, Sweden in 1781 at the invitation of the German congregation there to assume the position of organist, which he held until 1793. The same year he was employed at the Royal Theatre in Stockholm as well as conductor of the orchestra for the Stenborg theatres. In 1786 Hæffner was appointed assistant conductor of the Royal Orchestra and 1795 - 1807 he held the post of hovkapellmästare. He was also an instructor at Dramatens elevskola. He was married twice, first to the Swedish actress and singer Elisabeth Forsselius.

Since king Gustaf IV Adolf closed the Royal Opera in 1807, he moved to Uppsala, where he 1808 was appointed Director musices of the university and simultaneously was employed as organist of the cathedral. In Uppsala he organized the studentsång - four-voice male choir singing.