Composer and teacher of German origin who wrote numerous stage works (operas and melodramas), sacred vocal music, orchestral symphonies and chamber music, piano works and treatises concerning meter and rhythms, the beginnings of music, and a summary of his own works. Elsner was director of the Opera in Warsaw where he settled, taught many eminent singers, became the rector of the Main School of Music, and taught many composers including Chopin. Qualities of Elsner's music foreshadow the Polish national form of music. ~ Keith Johnson, All Music Guide