Hermann Wichmann was the son of the sculptor Ludwig Wichmann. He studied with Felix Mendelssohn and Ludwig Spohr, but health problems forced him to live in Italy for eight years. For a short time he was conductor of the Musikverein in Bielefeld (1857). Afterwards he settled in Berlin. He was best known for his songs that were performed with great succes by the famous singer Jenny Lind. Another interpreter of his songs was Marianna Parisotti.