Term: Balatka, Hans 1826 - 1899

Definition:

musician, composer, b. Hoffnungsthal, Moravia. He was educated in his native city and the gymnasium at Olmutz, studied Iaw at Olmutz and Vienna universities, was soloist in the Olmntz cathedral choir, and studied music at Vienna where he conducted singing societies. He came to Milwaukee in 1849, organized a male chorus there and in 1850 a string quartet, probably the first to be organized in the West. As director of the Milwaukee Musical Society (1850-1860), he conducted the Society's first concert in May, 1850, directed the performance of its first oratorio, Haydn's Creation, in July, 1851, and directed and played the leading role in its first opera, Lortzing's Czar and Zimmermann, in April, 1853. He also served as musical director of the German theater (1855-1859), and directed concerts, operas, oratorios, and music festivals. He left Milwaukee for Chicago in 1860, but returned after the Chicago fire, again conducted the Milwaukee Musical Society (1871-1873), then returned to Chicago. Balatka was a prolific composer of songs, choruses, quartets, fantasias, cantatas, and transcriptions for orchestra. Best known are The Power of Song (1856), double chorus for men's voices, and Festival Cantata (1869) for soprano and full orchestra. Wis. Mag. Hist., 27; B. Still, Milwaukee (Madison, 1948); Milwaukee Sentinel, Apr. 18, 1899; WPA field notes.

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