SYPHILITIC PROGRESSIVE PARALYSIS IN THE PATHOGRAPHY OF TWO COMPOSERS: HUGO WOLF AND PHYSICIAN AND COMPOSER JOSIP IPAVEC

Abstract

This overview is devoted to two composers born in t he Austro-Hungarian monarchy who beside their Slovene origin, share the tragic f ate caused by syphilis-related progres- sive paralysis. The music opus of Hugo Wolf (Sloven j Gradec, 1860 – Vienna, 1903) consists of about 300 solo songs on the verses of t he most famous contemporary poets, numerous piano works, the symphonic poem “Penthesil ea”, and the opera “Der Corregidor”. Dr. Josip Ipavec ([entjur near Celje, 1873-1921), beside studying med- icine, also worked on improving his theoretical kno wledge in the field of music. Later on, as a qualified physician, he also conducted cho ral concerts and string orchestras. Ipavec is also the author of numerous successful so lo- and choir songs, piano composi- tions, and the first Slovene ballet, the “Pierrot” (1904). His most famous work is the opera (operetta) “The Frivolous Princess” (1911). B oth composers died deranged, alone, neglected, “away from the eye”. Wolf ended i n a straitjacket at a psychiatric hospital, Ipavec froze to death in a barn not far f rom his home, both at an age when their creativity should have been at its peak.