Heinrich Köselitz facts for kids

Johann Heinrich Köselitz (born January 10, 1854 – died August 15, 1918) was a German writer and music composer. He is best known for being a close friend of the famous philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Nietzsche even gave him a special nickname, Peter Gast, which he used for his musical works.

Early Life and Studies

Heinrich Köselitz was born in Annaberg, a town in Saxony, which was then part of the Kingdom of Saxony. His father, Gustav Hermann Köselitz, was the vice mayor of the town. His mother, Caroline, came from Vienna. Heinrich also had a younger brother named Rudolf Köselitz, who became a painter.

In 1872, Heinrich began studying music at the University of Leipzig. He learned from a teacher named Ernst Friedrich Richter. Later, in 1875, he moved to the University of Basel in Switzerland. There, he attended interesting lectures by important thinkers like Jacob Burckhardt, Franz Overbeck, and Friedrich Nietzsche.

Friendship with Nietzsche

While in Basel, Heinrich Köselitz became good friends with Friedrich Nietzsche. Nietzsche sometimes had trouble with his eyesight. Heinrich would help him by reading aloud and writing down what Nietzsche dictated.

Heinrich was very important in preparing many of Nietzsche's books after 1876. He would check the copies sent by the printer. He also helped make sure the text looked just right. Nietzsche valued Heinrich's help a lot. He even said that Heinrich was "really the writer" for some of his books, while he himself was "merely the author." Heinrich greatly admired Nietzsche and helped him whenever he could.

Heinrich Köselitz helped Friedrich Nietzsche with his writings, acting as an assistant and editor.

In 1881, Nietzsche gave Heinrich the special name 'Peter Gast'. This became the name Heinrich used for all his operas. The name 'Peter Gast' might be a reference to the "stone guest" in Mozart's opera Don Giovanni.

Musical Works

Peter Gast's most important musical work was a funny opera called The Lion of Venice (Der Löwe von Venedig). Throughout the 1880s, Gast and Nietzsche tried to get this opera performed, but it was difficult.

Finally, in February 1891, the opera premiered in Danzig. However, it was performed under a different name, The Secret Wedding (Die heimliche Ehe). Years later, in the 1930s, it was shown again using the title Nietzsche had suggested, The Lion of Venice.

Other Activities

Heinrich Köselitz received money from his father to support himself. He also sometimes got help from Nietzsche's friend, Paul Rée. Besides being a musician and helping with Nietzsche's writings, Heinrich also worked as a writer. He used different pen names, such as Ludwig Mürner, Peter Schlemihl, and Petrus Eremitus. He wrote articles for many newspapers and also created several short stories and fables.

See also

In Spanish: Heinrich Köselitz para niños