BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Wednesday, November 29, 1820

The Wiener Zeitung of Tuesday December 5 will report that on this date, November 29th, Archduke Rudolph, still in Troppau, gives the sacrament of confirmation in the Minorite Church (today the Church of the Holy Spirit in Opava).

Beethoven was himself in Troppau a second time in September, 1811, when his Mass in C, op.86, was being performed at this same Minorite Church. Beethoven had came to Troppau from Teplitz, having had a violent argument there with Franz Oliva. After the performance of the Mass on September 28, 1811, Beethoven surprised the congregation with a half-hour-long improvisation on the organ. [The organ Beethoven played on has been replaced twice since then.] Troppau, now known as Opava in the Czech Republic, is famous for its organs, and an international organ competition is held there biennially.