What is "kapellmeister"

Capellmeister \Ca*pell"meis`ter\, n. [G., fr. capelle chapel, private band of a prince + meister a master.] The musical director in a royal or ducal chapel; a choir-master. [Written also kapellmeister.]

"conductor," 1838, German, literally "chapel master," from Kapelle "chapel" (also the name given to a band or orchestra) + Meister "master."

n. 1 (context music English) A leader or conductor of a musical group such as an orchestra. 2 (context music English) A term used during the baroque and classical for the person in charge of music at a noble court.

"" is a German word designating a person in charge of music-making. The word is a compound, consisting of the roots (“choir”, “orchestra”, or originally, “chapel”) and (“master”). Thus, the word was originally used to refer to somebody in charge of music in a chapel. However, the term has evolved considerably in its meaning in response to changes in the musical profession.