It's a very simple word.

Kapell = Chapel, meister = master. He was the leader (or possibly conductor) of an chamber ensemble/orchestra or choir.
I wouldn't be surprised if he was attached to a German court.

*looks him up on wikipedia* Ah! Yes. He became Kappelmeister in Bonn, Bavaria, in 1761, after singing in various choirs since 1712 (when he was six). However, he was also a master winemaker and -- though he bequeathed his debts to his son Johann -- his shrewd commodities dealings more than made up the difference, making Johann a rich man.

(From
Ludwig van Beethoven the Elder - Wikipedia).
Unfortunately, Johann -- himself a singer, teacher and musician -- became an alcoholic later in life and beat Ludwig (the famous one). At 18, Ludwig had to obtain an order to force Johann to support his family. Johann died in 1792, soon after Ludwig moved to Vienna to study with Joseph Haydn.
Incidentally, the family name "van Beethoven" means from (
van) the village of Bettenhoven (i.e. the Dutch name of this place:
Bettincourt - Wikipedia)
Sorry for the lecture. Hope you enjoyed it. I certainly like learning new things.
