Niels Wilhelm Gade, a Danish composer, born in Copenhagen, Feb. 22, 1817. He commenced the study of music at a comparatively advanced age, and in a few years became an accomplished performer on the violin and pianoforte, after which he devoted himself to composition. In 1841 his overture entitled "Echoes of Ossian" received the prize of the Copenhagen musical union, and secured to him a royal stipend to travel and study his art abroad. He passed several years in Germany and in Italy, and greatly increased his reputation by a symphony in C minor. In 1844 he was appointed to succeed Mendelssohn in the direction of the Ge-wandhaus concerts at Leipsic. In 1850, having received the appointment of royal chapel master to the king of Denmark, he returned to Copenhagen, where he now lives. Among his published works are seven symphonies, a number of overtures, sonatas, quintets, and romances, Comala, a lyrical drama,The Crusaders," a religious cantata, and the Nibelun-gen, an opera.