# Johann Mattheson

> German composer and theorist (1681-1764)

**Wikidata**: [Q170333](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q170333)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Mattheson)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/johann-mattheson

## Summary
Johann Mattheson was a German composer, music theorist, and lexicographer active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He is best known for his extensive writings on music theory and aesthetics, as well as his multifaceted career as a diplomat, organist, and opera singer.

## Biography
- **Born:** September 28, 1681
- **Died:** April 17, 1764
- **Nationality:** Germany
- **Known for:** Contributions to music theory, composition, and lexicography; diplomatic service.
- **Fields:** Music (Composition, Theory, Performance), Linguistics, Diplomacy.
- **Pen Name:** Aristoxenus

## Contributions
Johann Mattheson contributed significantly to the arts and sciences through various roles:
*   **Music Theory and Composition:** As a music theorist and composer, he authored music and theoretical works, contributing to the understanding of music as a branch of knowledge distinct from performance.
*   **Lexicography:** He worked as a lexicographer, compiling and editing dictionaries related to music and language.
*   **Diplomacy:** He served as a diplomat, appointed by a state to conduct international relations.
*   **Performance:** He worked as an organist and opera singer, performing in theatrical settings combining sung text and musical scores.

## FAQs
### What were Johann Mattheson's primary professions?
Johann Mattheson held a wide variety of roles, including composer, lexicographer, linguist, organist, diplomat, musicologist, music theorist, writer, and opera singer.

### What nationality was Johann Mattheson?
Johann Mattheson was of German nationality.

### Did Johann Mattheson use a pseudonym?
Yes, Johann Mattheson used the pen name "Aristoxenus" for some of his written works.

### What is the definition of his role as a music theorist?
As a music theorist, Mattheson studied music theory, engaging in the field as distinct from composition or performance.

## Why They Matter
Johann Mattheson matters for his comprehensive influence on the intellectual landscape of Baroque music. By bridging the practical world of opera performance and composition with the academic fields of music theory and lexicography, he helped formalize the study of music aesthetics. His work as a diplomat and linguist further positioned him as a polymath who connected the musical community with broader European intellectual and political currents.

## Notable For
*   Being a prolific German composer and theorist.
*   Serving as a diplomat for the state.
*   Contributing to the field of lexicography as a writer and editor of dictionaries.
*   Performing as an opera singer and organist.
*   Writing under the pen name "Aristoxenus."

## Body
### Personal Life and Identity
Johann Mattheson was born on September 28, 1681, and died on April 17, 1764. He was a human instance, specifically a male, identified as a person who uses written words to communicate ideas and produce literary works. He was a citizen of Germany.

### Career and Occupations
Mattheson's professional life was characterized by a diverse set of occupations:
*   **Musical Roles:** He was active as a **composer** (author of music), **organist** (musician playing the organ), and **opera singer** (singer in operas). His work in opera involved the artform combining sung text and musical scores in a theatrical setting.
*   **Scholarly Roles:** He was a **music theorist** (person who studies music theory) and a **musicologist** (person who studies music as a branch of knowledge distinct from composition or performance). Additionally, he was a **linguist**, specializing as a language scholar.
*   **Literary Roles:** He worked as a **lexicographer**, acting as a writer, editor, or compiler of dictionaries. He also used the **pen name** "Aristoxenus" for some publications.
*   **Political Role:** He served as a **diplomat**, a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization.

### Associated Concepts
Mattheson's work is often associated with the genre of opera. Opera is defined as an artform combining sung text and musical score in a theatrical setting, which dates its inception to approximately the year 1600.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
3. BnF authorities
4. LIBRIS. 2012
5. Find a Grave
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. MusicBrainz
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. CiNii Research
10. [Source](https://kalliope-verbund.info/DE-611-BF-88816)
11. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
12. SNAC
13. International Music Score Library Project
14. Discogs
15. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
16. Musicalics
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. Norwegian Authority File: Persons and Corporate Bodies
19. CERL Thesaurus
20. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
21. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute
22. Provenio