One of the most famous opera singers of the "Golden Age" of Viennese operetta, he was a leading tenor and dramatic stage actor at the Theater an der Wien from 1859–1878.
He notably appeared in the world premieres of operettas by composers Jacques Offenbach, Johann Strauss II, and Franz von Suppé.
In 1849 his father joined the Vienna Hofoper where he worked as a leading and comprimario tenor for the next 16 years and then served as the theatre's director from 1865–1875.
[1] Swoboda began his career in 1852 as a member of the opera chorus at the Theater in der Josefstadt in Vienna, a decision which his father initially opposed.
As a dramatic actor he appeared to critical success in the world premieres of several plays by Ludwig Anzengruber among other stage parts.
In January 1878 he succeeded his father as general director of theatre, but left that position the following year due to financial reasons.
His first marriage to soprano Friederike Fischer (1844–1898), whom he starred opposite on several occasions at the Theater an der Wien, ended in divorce.