A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Zavertal

by George Grove

ZAVERTAL, the original Bohemian name (Zavrtal^[1]) of a musical family, several members of which have become prominent both in Germany and this country, (1) Josef Rudolf, horn-player, born at Polep, Leitmeritz, Bohemia, Nov. 5, 1819, was educated at the Prague Conservatorium. He entered the Austrian army as bandmaster in 1840, and gradually rose. In 1846 he established the Pension Society for bandmasters of the Austrian army. After several promotions, in 1864 he became director of military music to Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico. Shortly after this he left Austria for England, and in 1868 was made bandmaster of the 4th King's Own Regiment, and in 1871 was placed at the head of the band (wind and string) of the Royal Engineers, a post which he still holds, (2) Wenceslas Hugo, brother of the foregoing, born at Polep, Aug. 31, 1821, clarinettist and composer. He has been bandmaster of several regiments in the Austrian army, during the Franco-Italian war saw much service, and was recognised as a very eminent bandmaster. In 1866 he quitted the service, and in 1874 came to this country, where he resides at Helensburgh, near Glasgow, much esteemed as a teacher of music, and where his compositions are much relished. In 1847 he married Carlotta Maironi, an eminent musician, who died in 1873. His son, (3) Ladislaus, born at Milan Sept. 29, 1849, was taught music by his parents, and first appeared at Milan in 1864. Four years later he produced an opera at Treviso. Next year he was made conductor and composer to the theatre at Milan. In 1871 he removed to Glasgow, where he remained teaching and conducting for ten years. In 1881 he succeeded the late James Smythe as master of the Band (wind and string) of the Royal Artillery, at Woolwich. An opera of his, 'Una notte a Firenze,' was successfully produced at Prague in 1886, and another, 'Myrrha,' at the same city Nov. 7, 1886. He was created Cavaliere of the Order of the Crown of Italy.

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1. Similar travesties are found in Zlazenger, Shoobert, and other German names in the London Directory.