Maria Josepha Hermengilde of Liechtenstein

Princess Maria Josepha Hermengilde Esterházy de Galantha (née von Liechtenstein, 13 April, 1768 — 8 August, 1845) was an aristocrat and patron of music.

Early life Maria Josepha von Liechtenstein was the daughter of Franz Josef I of Liechtenstein and Leopoldine von Sternberg. On 15 September 1783 she married Prince Nikolaus II Esterházy de Galantha, who in 1794 became the Prince of Esterházy. They married at her family home, because her mother was unwell, and were blessed by Cardinal Bathiany. The marriage contract specified thousands of guilders to be provided for the Princess.

The Princess was positively perceived by her peers, described as very talkative and charming, and having finer jewels than the crown. ).

For her 1807 nameday, Ludwig van Beethoven composed his Mass in C major, op. 86.

Johann Nepomuk Hummel wrote five Masses for her nameday: Mass in E-flat major, Op. 80 (1804), Mass in D minor, WoO. 13 (1805), Mass in C major, WoO. 12 (1806), Mass in B-flat major, Op. 77 (1808) & Mass in D major, Op. 111 (1810)

One final Mass was written by Jan Ladislav Dussek, Missa Solomnelle in G major, C. 256 (1811).

Diplomacy and the Congress of Vienna Maria Josepha became very close with her daughter-in-law, Princess Maria Theresia of Thurn and Taxis. For the 1814-5 Congress of Vienna, they collaborated to host a bal d'enfants or children's ball, which was attended by major aristocratic and diplomatic families.