Franz Schubert

The Liederfürst visits Ebenzweier Castle

"It is and always will be a divine pleasure to hear these two," Therese Clodi writes to her brother. Of course, we are talking about none other than the famous Austrian composer Franz Schubert and the then very well-known opera singer Johann Michael Vogl, who spend several weeks in Gmunden in the summer of 1825. A few times they are also guests at Ebenzweier Castle.

The commemorative plaque at the castle tells of a longer stay, but according to an exchange of letters between Therese Clodi, the daughter of the castle owner Florian Maximilian, and Franz Schubert, this did not really happen.

However, several shorter visits are documented by Therese Clodi's letters. On June 22, 1825, she writes to her brother in Vienna:

"I think I have already written to you that Vogl and Schubert were here; I would so like to invite them and don't yet know how. Twice I have heard Vogl sing and Schubert play - it is and always will be a divine pleasure to hear these two."

There is no doubt that the Clodi family belong to Schubert's circle of friends. The aforementioned Therese, née von Spaun, is a relative of Joseph Freiherr von Spaun, who is a friend of Franz Schubert.

Another companion is Moritz von Schwind, who paints two oil paintings of Therese Clodi and her father. In a letter to his friends on July 2, 1825, he writes:

"If you come to Ebenzweyer, recommend me and find only good things to tell."

The Austrian writer Eduard von Bauernfeld, who maintains close contact with the composer, is also a frequent guest of Resi, as Therese Clodi is known by those close to her.

The fact that so many artists and aristocrats spend their summer months in Gmunden and around Ebenzweier Castle is not only due to the beautiful landscape and idyllic lake, but also to the proximity of the imperial summer residence at Bad Ischl.

On 25 July, Schubert writes to his parents from Steyr:

"I'm back in Steyr now, .... but I spent six weeks in Gmunden, whose surroundings are truly heavenly, and, like its inhabitants, especially good old Traweger, have touched me deeply and done me the world of good.''

The Traweger mentioned is a merchant with whom Schubert resides when he visits Gmunden. According to the letters, Schubert would have liked to go back to Gmunden and to visit Ebenzweier Castle, but due to his modest financial means and deteriorating state of health, his wish is denied.

Franz Schubert suffers from syphilis, and he is also tormented by an infectious disease, presumably typhoid fever. Three years after his visit to Traunsee, the great composer dies in Vienna at the age of only 31.