Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily
Template:Infobox Austrian Royalty Maria Teresa of Naples and Sicily (Cascais, June 6 1772 – April 13 1807 in Vienna) was the eldest daughter of Ferdinand IV & III of Naples and Sicily (later Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies) (1751-1825) and his wife, Marie Caroline of Austria (1752-1814).
Biography
On September 15, 1790 she married her double first cousin Archduke Francis of Austria, who would later become Holy Roman Emperor Francis II, and then Francis I, Emperor of Austria.
The marriage is described as a happy one, despite that they were different in personality. She was described an easy going person with a sensual appearance. She loved masquerades and carnevales, and paticipated in all balls even when she was pregnant. She did have some politicall influence, as she was interested in politics. She gave her husband advice and is believed to have been partially responisble for the dismissal of Johann Baptist Freiherr von Schloißnigg and Grafen Franz Colloredo; she was also critical of Napoleon and encourraged her husband to the wars against France.
An important patron of the vienneese music life, she commisioned large amounts of music for official and private use. Joseph Haydn wrote his Te Deum piece for chorus and orchestra at her request. He also composed numerous masses to celebrate her rule. Her favourite composers included Paul Wranitzky (symphonies) and Joseph Leopold Eybler (church music).
Her children with Francis:
Ancestry
References
- This article is based on its equivalent on German Wikipedia
Literature
- Richard Reifenscheid, Die Habsburger in Lebensbildern, Piper 2006
- John A. Rice, Empress Marie Therese and Music at the Viennese Court, 1792-1807, Cambridge 2003