Jindřich Geisler (1849–1927)

Vicar of the church of St Wenceslas in Olomouc, later canon and prelate of the Olomouc chapter, cofounder and longtime chairman (1880–1905) of the city’s Žerotín music society, organiser of music events and devoted promoter of Dvořák’s works. He probably made Dvořák’s acquaintance in 1877 at a concert given by the Radhošť students’ association in Klášterní Hradisko near Olomouc, and they struck up a friendship that would endure for many years. Dvořák visited Olomouc on various occasions and conducted his works here several times. With Dvořák on the conductor’s rostrum, it was here that the composer’s Requiem and Te Deum were given their Czech premieres. In 1886 the composer dedicated his oratorio Saint Ludmila to the Žerotín society.