Robert Stoepel

Full biography Robert Stoepel

Robert Auguste Stoepel was a German-born American composer and conductor who lived from 1821 to 1887. He arrived in the United States in 1850 after being brought to New York City by impresario Max Maretzek. Stoepel was known for his compositions that included Hiawatha, a romantic symphony based on the famous poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Stoepel's American career parallels that of several other European music directors who sought new opportunities and audiences in the United States during the mid-eighteenth century. In addition to writing music, Stoepel also worked as an orchestra leader and had a sister who was a pianist named Helen Stoepel. She married William Vincent Wallace, another popular composer at the time, which further solidified Stoepel's connections to the musical world of his day. Stoepel himself married an actress named Matilda Heron, who was known for her performances in the works of Shakespeare and other playwrights. Despite his relatively brief career in the United States, Stoepel's compositions and contributions to American music continue to be studied and recognized today.