Koloman von Pataky


Koloman von Pataky, real name Kálmán Pataky de Déstalva was a Hungarian opera singer.

Life and career

Pataky was born in Lendava, Austria-Hungary. After a short period of training he made his debut in Budapest as the Duke of Mantua. In 1926 he went to Vienna and took part in the first performance of Die ägyptische Helena by Richard Strauss. His focus was on Italian and French music, and he made a name for himself as a Mozart singer. In 1931 he made his debut at the Salzburg Festival in Der Rosenkavalier.
In 1939, Pataky sang the role of Huon in Oberon in Milan Teatro alla Scala under Tullio Serafin.
His Mozart interpretations are said to have been among the best of the 20th century. After a leg amputation he had to end his career in the 1940s.

Filmography