Johann Strauss (Junior), who achieved international acquaintance as the “Waltz King”, was nicknamed “Son / Junior” to distinguish it from his father of the same name. His mother made it possible for the young Johann Strauss to study music against his father's wishes. Namely, he had an official career in mind for his sons, as he feared competition in his own family.

 

Already the first appearance in the Casino Dommayer, a Viennese concert café, was a huge success for the son Johann. He went on concert tours in many countries and at the age of 24, after the death of his father, managed to merge the two orchestras so that several Strauss orchestras could play in Vienna.

 

In 1848 Strauss sympathized with the insurgents of the German Revolution and composed the "Freedom Songs Waltz" and the "Revolution March". As a result, some of his compositions were banned and, despite his popularity, he fell out of favor at the royal-imperial court. In 1863 he was nevertheless appointed K. and K. (which stands for “Imperial and Royal”) court ball music director.

 

From then on he composed dance music for the court balls he directed. During this time, the "Danube Waltz" was created. In 1864 he met Jacques Offenbach, who introduced him to operetta. Strauss always called this "comic opera". In 1871 he performed his first "Komische Oper", "Indigo und die 40 Räuber" in Vienna. In 1874 his most famous operetta "Die Fledermaus" was premiered in the Theater an der Wien. In 1885 his operetta "The Gypsy Baron" premiered. In the course of his life he married three times, all marriages remained childless.

 

On June 3, 1899, Strauss died of pneumonia in Vienna. In total, Strauss left countless works, including around twenty operettas, 500 waltzes, polkas and marches as well as a ballet and an opera.