Johann Michael Wächter

Johann Michael Wächter ( born March 2, 1794 in Rappersdorf, Upper Austria, † May 26, 1853 in Dresden) was an Austrian opera singer ( bass-baritone ) and Saxon chamber singers.

Life

1816 Guardian went to study law in Vienna. Here his beautiful bass voice fell on and he decided to abandon his studies and to be trained in singing. Already in 1819 he made his debut in the title role of Mozart's Don Giovanni in Graz. It was followed by engagements in Pest ( 1821), Vienna Court Opera (1824 ) and Berlin. In 1827 he became a member of the Dresden Court Opera, where he remained until the end of his career. In 1852 he was appointed after 25 years of service to the Royal Saxon chamber singers.

He sang in three world premieres of operas of Wagner: the Orsini in Rienzi (1842 ), the title role in The Flying Dutchman (1843 ) and the Biterolf in Tannhäuser (1845 ). Hector Berlioz, who heard him in the Flying Dutchman in Dresden, praised his voice as one of the most beautiful baritone voices he had ever heard. Richard Wagner, however, later criticized his obesity and movements in the world premiere of The Flying Dutchman.

His wife, the mezzo- soprano Therese Guardian Wittmann, also sang in Dresden and created the role of Mary in The Flying Dutchman.