Johann Singenberger was born in St. Gall, Switzerland and emigrated to the U.S. where he founded in 1874 the American branch of the St. Cecilia movement and the journal "Cecilia" - which later became "Sacred Music" (and which I edited for a few years). We went to visit his baptismal church of St. Peter and Paul in nearby Kircheburg. It is a very beautiful Baroque style church and we were met by one of his descendants - the very spry 84 year old gentleman in the top picture - who presented us with an inscribed family genealogy. He is the grandson of one of Singenberger's brothers. We sang Singenberger's Ave Maria in the church for him. Then he took us all out for a drink - a glass of white wine with sparkling water in it (Wasser mit Gase)
4 comments:
That must have been an interesting outing. I assume the spry descendant is also involved in liturgical music? How was the Wasser mit Gase?
It was great as always, but to taste it in wine was a very unique experience.
So, John Singenberger is my great great grandfather, my sister has been working on our family tree for years. I am sure she would love to see the genealogy tree you were presented. How amazing was your visit? Are you a Singenberger too? Do you live in the USA?
There is presently an exhibit (Feb. 2017) in Milwaukee’s Historical Society on 200 Years of Milwaukee Music. Included in the exhibit is a picture of the 1915 St. Cecelia Choir picnic. Johann Singenberger’s name is mentioned in the upper left corner of the picture. In my home town in Southern Indiana, an organist, who had studied with John Singenberger, found employment. As a choir boy my first introduction to polyphony was singing Singenberger’s compositions. Recently I visited Singenberger’s grave site at St. Francis Seminary and the room at the School Sisters of St. Francis on south 27th St. in Milwaukee. Great memories.
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