Karl Formes, a German vocalist, born at Mulheim on the Rhine, Aug. 7, 1818. He received instructions from Oehrlein, a bass singer at Cologne, and Bassadone in Vienna, and made his first appearance in opera at Cologne, Jan. 6, 1842, as Sarastro in Mozart'sMagic Flute." In 1843 he was made a member of the court opera at Mannheim, and in 1844 he became primo basso of the imperial opera at Vienna. He took part in 1848 in the revolutionary movements in that city, and subsequently retired to Hamburg, and thence went to England, where in 1849 he appeared as a member of the German opera company at Drury Lane, and subsequently at the royal Italian opera, Co vent Garden. In 1857 he came to the United States, making his first appearance in December of that year at the academy of music in Robert le Diable. Since that time he has made this country his home, with the exception of a brief residence in Europe. His voice was remarkable when in its prime for its depth, sweetness, and beauty of tone; and he was scarcely less distinguished as an actor than as a singer, possessing talent both as a tragedian and comedian in an eminent degree. In such roles as Marcel in the Huguenots, Bertram in Robert le Diable, and Falstaff in Nico-lai's Merry Wives of Windsor," he was for a long time without a rival.

He added also greatly to his reputation both in this country and in England by his admirable singing in Handel's"Messiah" and Mendelssohn's "Elijah."