Adolf Müller

Adolf Müller Sr. (7 October 1801 – 29 July 1886) was a composer from the Austrian Empire and late Austria-Hungary. After an early career as an actor and singer, he composed operettas for theatres in Vienna. His son Adolf Müller Jr. was also a composer.

Early life and career He was born in Tolna, Kingdom of Hungary, then part of the Habsburg Monarchy and shortly after made part of the Austrian Empire; his original name was Schmid. His parents died when he was young, and he grew up with his aunt and uncle in Brno. His early music lessons were from Joseph Rieger, organist at the Church of St James in Brno. Aged eight he played piano in public concerts; later, helped by his uncle, he appeared in theatres as singer and actor. He was also interested in composition and composed songs and piano pieces.

From 1823 Müller lived in Vienna. There he studied composition with Joseph von Blumenthal. His first operetta Wer andern eine Grube gräbt, fällt selbst hinein ("He who digs a hole for another, falls into it himself") was produced in December 1825 at the Theater in der Josefstadt; in the following year his operetta was produced, and was very successful.

From 1847 he left the Theater in der Leopoldstadt and worked at the Theater an der Wien, which by then was managed by Franz Pokorny. He continued to compose; his works were performed in many theatres in Vienna.