Georg Philipp Telemann is one of the most significant composers of the 18th century. He promoted bourgeois musical culture like no other and confidently maintained his position for over 50 years. Born in Magdeburg in 1681, Telemann began composing at the age of twelve and started his career as a young music director in Leipzig. He served as a conductor in Sorau, Eisenach, and Frankfurt am Main until he was appointed to Hamburg in 1721, where he worked for 46 years as a cantor at the Johanneum, music director of the five main churches, and head of the Hamburg Opera. This musician, always open to new ideas, enjoyed international recognition and was the only German composer of his time to receive an invitation to Paris, where he stayed for eight months and was celebrated. He was the first to organize Hamburg's musical life and fought in numerous legal battles for his copyright.