Graupner, Christoph

Graupner, Christoph (krĭs`tôf group`nər), 1693–1760, German composer, studied at Leipzig with Johann Heinichen and Johann Kuhnau. After playing harpsichord at the Hamburg opera (1706–9) under Keiser, he became (1712) conductor to the court at Darmstadt, where he remained until his death. He was elected successor to Kuhnau as cantor of St. Thomas's, Leipzig, but events at Darmstadt prevented him from taking the post, which was then given to J. S. Bach. At Hamburg he wrote a number of operas, but he turned to instrumental and sacred music at Darmstadt.