Real name: Aloys Schmitt

German composer, pianist, and music teacher born on 26 August 1788 in Erlenbach am Main, Bavaria and first introduced to musical studies by his father, a school principal and organist. Studied composition with Johann Anton André, G.J. Vollweiler and Philipp Carl Hoffmann. Made his debut as a pianist on 23 March 1810. Gained a reputation as a skilled piano instructor; among his students was Ferdinand Hiller. In 1834 Schmitt helped to found the Frankfurter Instrumentalverein, of which he was conductor until 1844. He died in Frankfurt on 25 July 1866. In all, he composed over 100 works, including four operas, one operetta, two oratorios ("Moses" and "Ruth"), masses, various sonatas, rondos, overtures, string quartets, symphonies, four piano concertos, songs and cantatas.