Maria Theresia von Paradis (1759–1824)

Maria Theresia Paradis or von Paradis was the daughter of a court official and councillor to the Empress Maria Theresa, her namesake. She became blind at an early age. She was treated by the famous Franz Anton Mesmer, who was able to improve her condition but only temporarily. She received musical training from the Italian composer and organist Antonio Salieri (a rival of Mozart), among other famous teachers. Maria Theresia became a popular concert pianist, and made a successful tour of France in 1783–1784; she also performed in London. A specially designed hand-printing machine enabled her to write music, and she composed such works as Der Schulkandidat (1792), songs, and piano sonatas. She later worked as a teacher in Vienna and founded an institute to teach music.