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Reszke, Jean

Opera singer. Born Jan. 14, 1850 in Warsaw, Poland; son of John Miecislaus and Emily (Ufniarski) Reszke. When 12, was solo singer in the Carmelite church, Warsaw. His mother gave him his first singing lessons; made his debut in 1874 in Venice, Italy, as a baritone in the role of Alfonso in Verdi's "La Traviata"; sang at the Academie Nationale de Musique in Paris, June 22, 1875. In 1875 sang in London. Until 1883 he sang baritone; since that year till 1901 tenor. From 1902 to 1925 teacher of singing; made several concert tours in U.S.; was master of three opera languages: Italian, French and German. His main roles were in Aida, Carmen, Romeo and Juliet, Lohengrin, Tristan and Isolde, and Siegfried. Died April 3, 1925.

From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943

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