Tichatschek, Joseph Alois

1807-1886

German tenor of excellent ability; born at Ober Weckelsdorf, in Bohemia. He abandoned the study of medicine for singing, and was trained by Ciccimara, a noted Italian singingteacher. In 1830 he sang in the chorus at the Karntheurthor Theatre, working up into parts like Idreno, Robert, and Alphonse in Semiramide. After singing for two years in Gratz he returned to Vienna as principal tenor, and in 1837 made his Dresden debut as Gustavus III., in Der Maskenball, and scored an immense success. He continued to sing at Dresden until his retirement from the stage in 1870 and appeared in a great many different roles, among them Robert, Tamino, Gustavo, Tannhauser, and Rienzi, of which he created the last two. He appeared for a few nights during 1841 at Drury Lane in London and afterward at Manchester and Liverpool, receiving very favorable notice from an English critic. He died in Dresden.