Der Schauspieldirektor
Schneider was born in Berlin, the son of George Abraham Schneider (1770–1839). At an early age he was engaged at the Royal Theatre, Berlin, where he soon rose to play leading comedy parts. His reputation as a comedian grew with his success in such roles as Zierl in the "Einfahrt vom Lande", Peter in the "Kapellmeister von Venedig", Schikaneder in his own revision of Mozart's "Der Schauspieldirektor" and Basilio in "Le Nozze di Figaro", and he became the favourite of Berlin.