Composer | Holger Simon Paulli

Born 22 February 1810 in Copenhagen, Denmark, Holger Simon Paulli studied under composer and violinist Claus Schall as well as classical composer Frederik Thorkildsen Wexschall. After an apprenticeship with the Royal Danish Orchestra, he became the company’s ballet repetiteur in 1842; later, he would take the position of concertmaster in 1849, and from 1863 to 1883, he took on the role of opera conductor. He also conducted the orchestra of the Cecilia Association – popularizing much of the work of Richard Wagner in Denmark – and was chairman of the Chamber Music Association from 1868 until 1891, the year of his death.

As a composer, Paulli contributed to several of August Bournonville’s works including: Napoli (1842), with Niels W. Gade and Edvard Helsted; Le Conservatoire (1849); The Kermesse in Bruges (1951); and Wedding Movements in Hardanger (1853).