FRANZ LISZT

Adam Liszt was born on 16 December 1776 in Nemesvolgy, Hungary and married Maria Anna Lager, who was born on 9 May 1788 in Krems. Her father, Matthias, was a successful baker with a lovely house and his wife was Franziska Romana Schumann (1757-1797) the daughter of a clock maker. Both of them originated from humble Austrian stock. Adam and Maria married in Unterfrauenhaid on 11 January 1811 and their only child, Ferenc, was born on 22 October 1811 at Raiding in Hungary when his father was an inspector of sheep on the Esterhazy estate in Eisenstadt in the employ of Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy. Previously, Adam was in great favour with the royal household playing the cello in the Court Orchestra and having Haydn and Hummel as occasional conductors. Adam also played the violin, piano and the guitar and was close to the Prince being a regular guest at important social events such as sea trials and parties. But in 1809, Adam took the job of looking after the sheep on the estate. It has been suggested that this was a demotion but the facts now seem to be that the health inspector of sheep paid better and that is why Adam applied for the job.