Born in Montevideo, Uruguay to Austrian/German parents, Pfeiffer grew up in Germany, but returned to concertize in Uruguay in 1858, where he was the first to introduce Gottschalk's works to the country. Toured South America as well as Europe before settling in Buenos Aires in 1882. Biographical information from 'The Teatro Solís: 150 Years of Opera, Concert and Ballet in Montevideo' (Susana Salgado).