PISCHEK, Johann Baptist [PIŠEK, Jan Křtitel] (b Mšeno, Bohemia, 14 October 1814; d Sigmaringen, Württemberg, Germany, 16 February 1873)

This chapter presents a biography of mid- to late-19th-century Victorian vocalist Johann Baptist Pischek, one of the greatest baritone singers of the Victorian era. His life and career – from his early years his family used the German transliteration of their name – have been carefully documented in a vast range of Central European lexicons. From the time of his first successes, lengthy articles appeared in such musical journals as Die Zeitschrift für Musik (7 September 1843), the details from which have been repeated ever since. At twenty years of age (24 June 1835), apparently through the influence of prima donna Sabine Heinefetter, Johann was cast alongside her at the Landestheater, Prague, as Oroveso in Norma. His contract with the king of Württemberg and the Stuttgart Court Theatre allowed him four months' 'guesting time', and in 1845 he spent part of that time in visiting London.