Maria Josepha Hermengilde Esterházy


Maria Josepha Hermengilde Esterházy de Galantha was the daughter of Franz Josef I of Liechtenstein. On 15 September 1783 she married Prince Nikolaus II Esterházy de Galantha, who in 1794 became the Prince of Esterházy. In 1785 she bore a son, Paul Anton and in 1788 a daughter, Leopoldine.

Patroness

Like her husband Maria was a patron of artists, and especially of Joseph Haydn, who from 1796 to 1802 was commissioned to write a yearly Mass to be performed on her nameday. Thus originated the Heiligmesse, Paukenmesse, Nelsonmesse, Theresienmesse, Schöpfungsmesse and Harmoniemesse. For her 1807 nameday Ludwig van Beethoven composed his Mass in C major, op. 86''.