Willem De Fesch

(1687 - late 1750s)

Willem De Fesch

Dutch composer. Probably a pupil of Rosier, Vice-Kapellmeister at Bonn, whose daughter he married. De Fesch was active in Amsterdam 1710-25, and performed several times at Antwerp. From 1725-1731 he served as Kapelmeister at Antwerp Cathedral. Soon thereafter he moved to London where he gave concerts and played violin in Handel's orchestra (in 1746). In 1748 nd 1749 he conducted at Marylebone Gardens. He apparently made no public appearances after 1750. His works included the oratorios Judith (1735) and Joseph (1746), both of which were given several performances but are now lost, as well as chamber dutes, solo and trio sonatas, concertos and pqart songs.





VIIA: Henry Purcell and his Contemporaries