Nikolaus Dumba (1830-1900): A Dazzling Figure in Imperial Vienna

Nikolaus Dumba, was a most inspired and enthusiastic Viennese who became Maecenas of the Arts and national benefactor for Austria and Greece. He was most prominent in Vienna’s cultural life in the 2nd half of the 19th century and was acclaimed as a ‘genius of the Muses’, although he also distinguished himself in other fields, such as those of politics and finance. He had a leading role in the shaping of New Vienna. «...without Dumba many of the Vienna monuments would have never been created, neither of Schubert, Schiller, Beethoven or Grillparzer, nor that of Motzart and Makart»(Neue Freie Presse 25.03.1900). His personal friends Johannes Brahms and Johann Strauss extolled the legendary role he played in music and the arts and in the ‘expansion and embellishment’ of the city of Vienna by dedicating the choral waltz Neu Wien (New Vienna) to him. The ‘immortal’ Donauwalzer (Blue Danube Waltz), may have not existed without his personal intervention as President then of the ‘Vienna Men’s Choral Society’. He is best known as «founder of the Musikverein in its present form...» in the Dumba Strasse. He donated the ‘Dumba-Schubert collection’, the largest in the world, to the Vienna Library. Nikolaus Dumba made a distinct political career as Member of the Austrian Parliament for 30 years (1870-1900) and served as personal adviser to the emperor Franz Josef. His name was registered in the Golden Book of Vienna’s Honorary Citizens and his tomb is included among those of the great composers in the Vienna’s Central Cemetery.