Proch, Heinrich

1809-1878

 

Violinist, conductor and composer. The place of his birth is uncertain, probably being Vienna. He studied music under Benesch, and frequently played in public, becoming a member of the Imperial Chapel at Vienna in 1834. In 1837 he was appointed musical director of the Josephstadt Theatre and was in the same capacity at the Imperial Opera from 1840 to 1870. He then retired on a pension, but in 1874 became director of the Comic Opera, which existed but a short time. He died in Vienna. His compositions include the operas, Ring und Maske, Die Blutrache, and Der gefahrliche Sprung; masses; offertorios; and string quartets, and trios; also many songs with piano, cello, and horn accompaniment, notably Das Alpenhorn, and Wanderlied. He translated into German II Trovatore, Don Pasquale, and other Italian operas.