Karl Friedrieh Zelter, a German composer, born in Berlin, Dec. 11, 1758, died there, May 15, 1832. He was bred a mason and builder. Forbidden to indulge his musical tastes, he secretly walked to Potsdam, about 20 m., to take his weekly lessons of Fasch, whom in 1800 he succeeded as director of the Berlin Sing-Ahademie. In middle life he divided his time between his art and his trade, in which he employed many workmen. From 1809 till his death he was professor of music at the academy of arts and sciences. He founded in 1809 the Liedertafel, a male-voice society, for which he composed many part songs, and which was the first of this class of clubs, now so common in Germany, England, and America. His most important composition was his Auferstehung und Himmelfahrt Christi. He also composed much church music. He was an intimate friend of Goethe, his correspondence with whom was published after his death (6 vols., Berlin, 1833-'4). His life has been written by Dr. W. Rintel (Berlin, 1861).