Maria Josepha Hermengilde Esterházy

Maria Josepha Hermengilde Esterházy de Galantha (born von Liechtenstein, 13 April, 1768 — 8 August, 1845) was the daughter of Franz Josef I of Liechtenstein. On 15 September 1783 she married Prince Nikolaus II Esterházy de Galantha, who in 1794 became the Prince of Esterházy. In 1785 she bore a son, Paul Anton and in 1788 a daughter, Leopoldine.

1793 portrait by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun (Liechtenstein Museum)

Patroness

Like her husband Maria was a patron of artists, and especially of Joseph Haydn, who from 1796 to 1802 was commissioned to write a yearly Mass to be performed on her nameday (8 September, the Nativity of the BVM[1]). Thus originated the Heiligmesse (1796), Paukenmesse (1797), Nelsonmesse (1798), Theresienmesse (1799), Schöpfungsmesse (1801) and Harmoniemesse (1802). For her 1807 nameday Ludwig van Beethoven composed his Mass in C major, op. 86.

References
  1. List of Masses by Joseph Haydn gives the more plausible Sept. 12, The Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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