SCHMITT, KARL GUSTAVUS (1834-1900) was born at Frankfurt-am-Main, the son of Dr Aloys Schmitt, a German composer and hof-capelmeister at the court of Bavaria. He was educated in Germany and became an accomplished violinist. Schmitt came to Auckland in the early sixties and was a successful musical teacher. Later he became organist in Sydney to a Congregational and other churches and conductor of the Philharmonic Society. After spending some time in Germany he came to Tasmania as aide-de-camp and musical director to Sir Frederick Weld (q.v.), who was governor (1875-80). In 1881 he returned to Auckland as conductor of the Choral Society. He was a founder of the Auckland Amateur Opera Club and of the young ladies' orchestra, and at the time of his death lecturer in music at Auckland University College. He took a great interest in volunteering and was honorary captain in the College Rifles and the Southern Wairoa Rifles, and captain in the New Zealand militia. Schmitt died on 22 Mar 1900. Schmitt received Italian and Belgian decorations for his compositions, some of which were performed in St Patrick's Cathedral and St Benedict's, Auckland.

N.Z. Herald, 23 Mar 1900.

Reference: Volume 2, page 141

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