Jan Reszke

Jan Reszke (1818–1877) was a Polish aristocrat, hotel operator, and the father of three opera singers Josephine (soprano), Jean (tenor) and Édouard de Reszke (bass). The family's life centered around music, including weekly concerts at their residence. Artists stayed at their hotel and held rehearsals in their attached house. His wife, Emilja, was a mezzo-soprano who taught her children to sing and arranged for singing lessons outside the home.

Reszke was a participant of the January Uprising of 1863 and was forced into exile in Siberia by the Russians. While he was away, Emilja ran the household, raised the children, and operated the family's hotel, Hôtel de Saxe (de).

Early life Jan Mieczyslaw Reszke was born in 1818 to Jan Bogumil and Josefa Reszke. His father was orphaned as a child and was alone in Warsaw upon the death of his benefactor Baron von Runckel. Jan Bogumil Reszke became a successful businessman and was one of the richest men in Poland by 1830. A philanthropist, he was held in high esteem within the community. Upon his father's death, Reszke inherited property that provided revenue for the family.

Reszke's ancestors lived in the Mazovia region of present-day Poland —since the 13th or 14th century. By the 15th century, they had a coat of arms,

Hôtel de Saxe

He established Hôtel de Saxe (de) in the center of Warsaw. He and his wife operated the hotel that catered to artists from Moscow, Berlin, and Paris. It adjoined their residence. Their house on Kozia Street Josephine de Reszke, a soprano, and Édouard de Reszke performed in Western Europe beginning in the 1870s.