APPENZELLER
Benedictus Appenzeller, a composer in the service of Mary of Hungary
Born most probably in Oudenaarde in the county of Flanders, Benedictus Appenzeller (c. 1480/1488 – after 1558) is an iconic figure in Renaissance music.
From 1518 onwards, he is known to have worked at St James’s Church in Bruges, where he served as cantor. The following year, in 1519, he was promoted to choirmaster (sangmeester), a testament to his talent and teaching skills. His career took a decisive turn in February 1536 when he entered the service of Mary of Hungary, Governor of the Low Countries. This appointment marked the beginning of a collaboration lasting nearly twenty years, which would shape the bulk of his musical production. In October 1537, he succeeded to Jehan Gossins as master of the chapel choirboys, a position he held until the 1550s.
During his service for Mary of Hungary, Appenzeller regularly accompanied his patron while she was travelling throughout the Habsburg territories. These trips took him to ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Bois-Le-Duc), Augsburg and Munich, enriching his musical horizons. In 1545, the records of the Brotherhood of Our Lady in ‘s-Hertogenbosch revealled that he was married to a woman named Liennaertken and that he was responsible for six choirboys.
After Mary of Hungary left for Spain in 1556, Appenzeller found a new position as choirmaster at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels. He held this position from December 1555 to December 1558. The last mention of him in archives dates from 8 July 1558, in a request for tax exemption, in which he states being ‘over 70 years old’.
Appenzeller leaves behind him a prolific body of work covering most genres in use at the time, in both sacred and secular settings.
🔎 Find out more
Appenzeller’s discography is available on most streaming platforms.→ A detailed list can be found on the EarlyMusic (FAQ) website.
