Karl Friedrich Zelter

Carl Friedrich Zelter (1758–1832) was originally a master mason, trained himself as a musician, and led the Berlin Singakademie from 1800.

He was Goethe’s friend and musical advisor; their correspondence is among the sources for the musical understanding of the age. In Berlin, Zelter belonged to Hegel’s circle of acquaintances — the Singakademie was one of the places where the city’s society gathered.