Meisel, Will (1897-1967)

Meisel, Will

COMPOSER, DANCER, PUBLISHER (GERMANY)

BORN 17 Nov 1897, Rixdorf (near Berlin): Steinmetzstraße 20 - DIED 29 Apr 1967, Müllheim, Baden-Württemberg
BIRTH NAME Meisel, August Wilhelm
GRAVE LOCATION Berlin: Städtischer Friedhof Wilmersdorf, Berliner Straße 81-103 (C11-1-1/3)

Son of a ballet master. He took music and dance lessons from an early age and worked as a dancer in Berlin. From 1915 to 1918 he served in the German army and in 1917 he was wounded near Ypres. From 1918 to 1923 he was a dancer again at the Staatsoper in Berlin.

After two songs he wrote became an instant success he started composing operettas. In 1933 he joined the NSDAP. His operetta "Ein Walzer für dich" (1934) was a success. Although he also composed works for propaganda purposes he was was able to continue his career after the war.

His "Königin einer Nacht" (1951) was another successful operetta. He had started his own stage and publishing company and also produced movies. From 1934 onwards he lived at the Jonasstrasse in Berlin where he had a dance school. He wrote the music for over fourty movies and composed eight operettas. In 1964 he received the Paul-Lincke-Ring for his work.

Meisels first wife was Ilona von Fövenyessy von Hewi. After he divorced her he married the soprano Eliza Illiard with whom he had two sons. His sons continued the company after 1969 when both he and his wife had died.

Family
• Wife: Illiard, Eliza (1935-1967)

Images

The grave of Will Meisel at the Städtischer Friedhof Wilmersdorf, Berlin.
Picture by Androom (26 Jan 2008)