Édouard de Reszke (22 December 185325 May 1917) was a Polish bass from Warsaw. A member of the musical Reszke family, he was a successful opera singer, as were his brother Jean and his sister Josephine. He made his debut in Aida in Paris on 22 April 1876.
Born with an impressive natural voice and equipped with compelling histrionic skills, he became one of the most illustrious opera singers active in Europe and America during the late-Victorian era. He is most famous for his role as Mephistopheles in Faust. He was also known for his roles as Leporello, Sachs, and Hagen. When in London, the Reszke brothers performed for Queen Victoria during gala performances at the Royal Opera House or command performances at Windsor Castle. He was awarded the Royal Victorian Order (R.V.O.) from the Queen. The Reszke brothers were entertained near London by Lady de Grey, a patron of the arts.
After he retired from the stage, he taught singing until he had significant health problems. He and his family suffered during the war, cut off from others, with shooting through opposite sides of the house. His health worsened during the war and he died in 1917.
Early life
Édouard August Reszke was born to Jan Reszke and Emilja (also Emilie) Ufniarska on 22 December 1853. His parents operated the Hôtel de Saxe (de) in the center of Warsaw, which catered to artists from Moscow, Berlin, and Paris. It adjoined their residence. His mother, a mezzo-soprano, had a clear, powerful voice. His father, a baritone, played the violin and wrote songs for his wife. The Reszkes held concerts on Friday nights with duets, arias and choral music. Both of his parents performed at charity events.
His siblings were Emilia, Jean (born 1850), Josephine (1855), and Victor (1859). Emilja taught her children to sing; all of whom were talented singers. At times the four oldest children, called the Reszke Quartet, performed together. Viktor was not interested in music. Josephine, Jean, and Édouard sang at a soirée in 1869.
Reszke attended an agricultural college in Germany for two years. When he returned to Warsaw, Jean noticed that his brother's voice had deepened significantly. Wanting to understand how his singing voice changed, Jean played the piano while Reszke sang, after which he told his parents that with his brother's talent, he should change his career goals and pursue an opera career. He followed his desired to sing over his parents' plan for a career in agriculture. He went to Italy and studied under Francesco Steller and later the retired baritone Filippo Coletti, who was also a friend. He studied with Giovanni Sbriglia in Paris.
By 1875, his sister Josephine was a prima donna at the Paris Opera; Reszke and his mother travelled with her. He sang at musicals as an amateur. Beginning in 1876, the Reszke brothers became known amongst Paris society and composers for their singing talent.
Career
Stage
Reszke debuted in Aida in Paris on 22 April 1876. He was chosen by the composer Giuseppe Verdi for the role as the King of Egypt. Fortunately, when he auditioned he already knew the opera well, because he was hired just days before the performance. He was asked to grow a beard so that he looked more like a king than the young man that he was. That year, Reszke began using the French version of his surname: de Reszke. Josephine and Jean, who had careers as opera singers, changed their surname that year, too. After Aida, he performed at the Théâtre des Italiens for two seasons.
In 1879, he performed in Maria Tudor at the Teatro alla Scala and Indra in the premiere of Le roi de Lahore in Milan. The role of Ilda was created for him by Jules Massenet. He sang at Covent Garden in London in 1880. The following year, he performed in The Prodigal Son, Simon Boccanegra, and Ernani. He performed as Charles V in Don Giovanni d'Austria and the king in Elda in southern cities including Lisbon, Trieste, and Turin.
He performed in Italian opera at Covent Garden in London. While in the capital of England, the Reszkes were often entertained at the residence of Lady de Grey, who treated the men like royalty and enjoyed their senses of humor. One night they missed their train for London to make their perform at Covent Garden, a guest remembered he was the honorary president of the local fire brigade and arranged for them to be taken to London in good speed.