A great song writer who closely followed Schubert and Schuman traditions, Robert Franz became almost completely deaf after his first series of songs were published. Franz, however, continued working as organist at Ulrichs Church and later was appointed music director the Singakademie. In 1861, Franz received Doctorate in music and was appointed director at Halle University. Continuous nervous breakdowns forced Franz to give up this position in 1868. Franz Liszt, Joseph Joachim, and other important musicians participated in the benefit concerts dedicated to Franz. Franz’s more than 350 songs have been very popular and are in the repertoire of the world’s most prominent singers.