Emanuel Schikaneder (September 1, 1751 - September 21, 1812), born Johann Joseph Schikaneder, was mostly famous for his collaboration as a librettist with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who he met in Salzburg in 1780, in popular operas such as "The Magic Flute". He worked as an actor, singer, director, and poet, and first appeared with the Moserschen Company around 1773. Aside from operas, the company also performed farces and Singspiele (operettas), and within a few years, he had his own company. He led the Kärntnertortheater in Vienna from 1785, while still working with the Salzburg group as time permitted. His plan to build a theatre in Vienna was vetoed by Emperor Joseph II, which prompted him to temporarily leave for Regensberg . He did return to Vienna after a time with plans for a new theater in a hotel outside the city, which was opened in July 1789 and enjoyed immediate success, especially with the September 1791 premiere of The Magic Flute. Schikaneder also appeared in this production. These financial successes allowed him to construct a new theatre in Viennain 1801, where he premiered the opera "Alexander" with music by Franz Toyber . He enjoyed continued success in staging elaborate productions there. In 1806 he left Vienna to work in Brünn and Steyr. Later, after economic problems caused by war and a currency devaluation in 1811, he lost most of his fortune and died a poor man September 21, 1812, in Vienna. He wrote a total of about 55 theatre pieces and 44 books.