Josef Protschka, born on February 5, 1944, in Prague, is a distinguished German operatic tenor renowned for his performances in opera, lieder, and oratorio. Raised in Düsseldorf, he was the son of a violinist who played in church orchestras. Protschka's early musical promise was evident when, at the age of 12, he performed as the vocal soloist in Karlheinz Stockhausen's electronic composition "Gesang der Jünglinge." He also recorded Kurt Weill's "Der Jasager" for MGM at a young age.

Initially, Protschka pursued studies in classical philology, philosophy, and German literature at the Universities of Bonn and Tübingen, earning a degree with distinction in 1970. He studied voice under Erika Köth and Peter Witsch at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne. Before dedicating himself fully to music, he worked as a journalist and in adult education, and even began a doctoral thesis on European drama.

Protschka made his operatic debut in 1977 at the Theater Gießen, performing as Tamino in Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte." He subsequently joined the Stadttheater Saarbrücken and then became a prominent member of the Cologne Opera from 1980 to 1987. Protschka gained international acclaim for his interpretations of Mozart roles, including Tamino, Ferrando, and Idomeneo, and appeared at major opera houses such as La Scala, the Royal Opera House, and the Vienna State Opera.

In addition to his stage career, Protschka made approximately 50 recordings, including a Grammy-nominated performance of Schubert's "Fierrabras." He retired from the stage in 2016 but continued to contribute to the music world as a voice teacher and academic. From 2002 to 2009, he served as rector of the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln. Protschka has also been involved in educational projects for young singers, particularly in South Africa, and remains active in giving recitals and serving as a jury member for international competitions.