The Girl in Rose: Haydn's Last Love

by Peter Hobday

Rebecca Schroeter, a talented musician herself, was seldom on stage, but always at the center of the bustle and socializing off it. Haydn, the most famous composer in Europe, met her and demanded her attention, with the relationship continuing until his death in 1809. Rebecca Schroeter's life is almost an archetypal one of the period—a romantically-inclined young woman, an ambitious and supportive wife, a favorite on the social scene. Peter Hobday balances an intimate account of her life with convincing historical detail to produce an accomplished portrait of the age.

228 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

Reviews

[David Dunlap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but bland book. When all is said and done, there is not much that is known about Rebecca Scott Schroeter. She was an heiress. When she married her (German-born) piano teacher, Johann Samuel Schroeter, in 1775, her brother sought to have her disinherited; the case ended up in chancery court. After Schroeter's death in 1788, Rebecca lived on in London on the fringes of polite society, with some good connections. She met and grew close to Austrian composer Joseph Haydn during his visits to England (1791-92 and 1794-95); the ardent letters she wrote to him (which he copied into a notebook) suggest intimacy -- the author maintains Rebecca became Haydn's mistress. She died in 1826. -- Nevertheless, Hobday spins a book out of these bare facts. Unfortunately, despite the glimpses he provides into 18th century London and the concert scene, his text is repetitive and highly speculative. (He believes that the portrait of an anonymous woman on the book jacket is one of Rebecca Schroeter.) I enjoyed the insights given into Haydn's busy life in London, but feel ambivalent about recommending this to anyone not interested in the composer or his music.

[Hollidae · Rating 2 out of 5]

too speculative, really repetitive, and really dry

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the first few chapters, and it felt like a history lessons and more focused on the music scene of the time, than the actual story. I couldn't get into it.