Reszke is the family name of two Polish brothers who became famous opera singers. The two often performed together during the 1890’s in opera houses in Paris, London, and New York City.
Jean de Reszke
(1850-1925) was an operatic tenor. He was born in Warsaw, Poland, on Jan. 14, 1850. His first teacher was his mother. Later, he studied with Italian teachers. He made his operatic debut as a baritone in Venice, Italy, in 1874. But it soon became obvious to him that baritone roles did not suit his voice. De Reszke’s first appearance as a tenor was in Madrid, Spain, in 1879. His debut was not a success, but he made a triumphant appearance in Paris in 1884, starting him on a brilliant career. He was in constant demand in Europe. Later, he also sang in New York City with the Metropolitan Opera Company.
De Reszke won acclaim for his romantic roles in Italian and French operas, but his versatility also allowed him to excel in the heavier operas of the German composer Richard Wagner. Perhaps de Reszke’s greatest role was Tristan in Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde. After de Reszke retired from the stage in 1902, he taught in France. He died in Nice, France, on April 3, 1925.
Edouard de Reszke
(1853-1917) was an operatic bass. He was born in Warsaw on Dec. 22, 1853. He trained largely in Italy and made his debut in 1876 in Paris as the king in the Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida. Verdi himself conducted the performance. De Reszke earned a reputation as one of the greatest basses in opera history in such works as Don Giovanni and Faust. He sang lyric, dramatic, and comic roles with equal ease. De Reszke retired as a performer in 1903. He spent his last years in Poland in poverty and died there on May 25, 1917.
