Johann David Heinichen was educated at the Thomasschule in Leipzig (where J.S. Bach was later to teach), serving also as assistant to the then cantor, Kuhnau, and proceeding thereafter to the University of Leipzig. After an initial career as a lawyer in Weissenfels, Heinichen returned to musical activity in Leipzig, followed by a period of work and study in Italy. In 1717 he was appointed Court Kapellmeister in Dresden, a position he retained until his death in 1729.

Operas

Heinichen wrote operas in the earlier part of his career and moved to Italy with the express purpose of studying the art of Italian opera at its source. His single opera for Dresden, Flavio Crispo, remained incomplete – abandon...