A musical family
1778
The upbringing of Habsburg children included lessons in music and dancing with famous musicians. They also took roles in dramatic performances at Court. Empress Maria Theresa played the clavier and danced in front of court audiences in her youth. Joseph II played chamber music in private with just a handful of musician friends. His sister, Archduchess Maria Antonia (Marie Antoinette) played the clavier and harp and was a devotee of opera – her music teacher was Christoph Willibald Gluck.
