Johann Strauss II
* 25. Oct 1825, † 03. Jun 1899
Johann Strauss II followed in his father’s footsteps as a conductor and composer. He raised the dance music of the Biedermeier era to an art form, composed world-famous operettas and became a star, touring Europe and America. His ‘Blue Danube’ waltz is regarded as the unofficial Austrian national anthem. Suspected of ‘revolutionary activities’, he was not appointed director of court balls until 1863. From then on he conducted at all the court balls and was awarded the Order of Franz Joseph.
