Vogl, Johann Michael

1768-1840

Celebrated dramatic tenor singer; born at Steyr, in Upper Austria. He was a chorister in his native town at the early age of seven and received a good foundation for musical training, oing to Vienna he entered the University to study law. But his fellowstudent and fellow-countryman, Sussmayer, who had been made Court Theatre chapelmaster, persuaded him to join the opera company. He made his debut at the Court Opera in 1795. About 1816 he became acquainted with Schubert, and recognizing his genius, urged him to compose, and sang his songs, introducing many to the public for the first time. He said of Schubert's compositions that they are "truly divine inspirations, utterances of a musical clairvoyance." Some of Vogl's great parts are Oreste, from Iphigenie en Tauride, Count Almaviva, from Le Nozze de Figaro, Kreon from Medee and Jacob from Mehul's Joseph. He retired from the Court Opera in 1822, having always been a great favorite and highly successful as a singer and actor in both German and Italian Opera. One of his last public appearances was in 1833. He died in Vienna.

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