Georg Benda
In 1750, Benda became the Kapellmeister for Frederick III, Duke of Gotha. He was in charge of the music in the court of Gotha. He wrote some operas and cantatas in Gotha. In 1765, he went to Italy to study for six months. He visited Venice, Bologna, Florence, and Rome. He returned to Gotha in 1765. When Frederick III died, he focused on writing music for the theater. He wrote Singspiel, a kind of opera that has spoken words and music. His melodrama Ariadne auf Naxos was a success. Mozart heard a performance of Ariadne auf Naxos in Mannheim.