| Timeline |
| 1786 |
Born 18 November, near Oldenburg, Germany; son of a musician |
| 1797 |
Studies music with Haydn's younger brother, Michael |
| 1800 |
Composes first two operas |
| 1804 |
Kapellmeister at Breslau municipal theatre |
| 1811 |
First real operatic success with Abu Hassan. Composes works for clarinettist Heinrich Barmann |
| 1813 |
Appointed director of the Prague Opera |
| 1817 |
Director of the Dresden Court Theatre. Marries the singer Caroline Brandt |
| 1821 |
Triumphant premiere in Berlin of opera Der Freischütz |
| 1823 |
Successful premiere in Vienna of opera Euryanthe |
| 1826 |
Dies while in London, 5 June, and is buried there |
| 1844 |
Wagner arranges for his remains to be reburied in Dresden, Germany |
