Maria Theresia von Paradis

Maria Theresia Paradis (May 15, 1759 – February 1, 1824) was an Austrian musician and composer who lost her sight at an early age, and for whom her close friend Mozart may have written his Piano Concerto No. 18 in B-flat major. She was also in contact with Salieri, Haydn, and Gluck. Early life Maria Theresia Paradis was the daughter of Joseph Anton Paradis, Imperial Secretary of Commerce and Court Councilor to the Empress Maria Theresa, for whom she was named. The Empress, however, was not her godmother, as was often believed. Between the ages of 2 and 5 she lost her eyesight. She received a broad education in the musical arts from: * (music theory and composition) * Leopold Kozeluch (piano) * Vincenzo Righini (singing) * Antonio Salieri (singing and composition) * Abbé Vogler (music theory and composition). By all accounts, Paradis had an excellent memory and exceptionally accurate hearing, as she was widely reported to have learned over sixty concertos by heart, as well as a large repertoire of solo and religious works. In 1773 she was commissioned to perform an organ concerto by Antonio Salieri which survives but without its second movement. By 1775, Paradis was performing as a