A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Beck, Johann

by Alexis Chitty

BECK, Johann Nepomuk, born May 5, 1828, at Pesth, where he studied singing and first appeared on the stage as Richard in 'I Puritani,' having been advised by Erl and Formes to adopt a musical career. He afterwards sang at Vienna, Hamburg, Bremen, Cologne, Mayence, Wiesbaden, and Frankfort, 1851 to 53. From 1853 to the present time he has been engaged at Vienna as principal baritone, where he is a great favourite, being alike excellent both in singing, acting, and in classical and romantic opera. Among his best parts are Don Juan, Count Almaviva, Pizarro, Mikheli (Wasserträger), Hans Heiling, William Tell, Nelusco, Hamlet, Amonaero, Orestes, the baritone parts in Wagner's operas, etc. He has also performed in the various cities of Germany and at Stockholm with great success.—His son Joseph, born June 11, 1850, also a baritone of great promise, appeared at Laibach (1870), and has appeared with success, among other places, at Berlin and Frankfort, where he is now engaged.

[ A. C. ]