Heinrich Marschner (1795-1861)
Heinrich Marschner (1795-1861) first came to Leipzig in 1813 in order to enrol for a degree in law. However, his passion for the arts and intensive contact to the music publisher Friedrich Hofmeister (see Graphic Quarter - music publishers), St. Thomas's Organist Friedrich Schneider and Thomaskantor (Cantor of St. Thomas's) Johann Gottfried Schicht, from whom he took music lessons, strengthened his resolve to devote himself entirely to music. Despite his departure only two years later, Marschner fervently maintained these friendships.
Marschner was to return to Leipzig in 1827 as his wife, Marianne (née Wohlbrück), was offered an engagement as soloist at the Leipzig Opera (see Site of Old Theatre). Marianne's salary was sufficient to provide comfortably for the family and to allow her husband to compose without financial pressure. During this time, Marschner worked on the completion of his opera Der Vampyr (The Vampire), which received its premiere at the Leipzig Opera on 29th March 1828.
Although his wife's contract at the Opera was not extended at the end of the season, Marschner considered Leipzig to be the most advantageous place to live and work, due to the performance possibilities the city offered. His next opera, Der Templer und die Jüdin (The Templar and the Jewess), premiered in Leipzig on 22nd December 1829, became, for a time, the opera house's most frequently performed production.
The family could not, however, live from the sale of his compositions alone, persuading Marschner, in January 1831, to accept the appointment to the position of Court Music Director in Hannover.
Marschner was to visit Leipzig frequently until the end of his life; as he wrote to Hofmeister in 1839: "...you know how devoted I am to Leipzig!"
Wikipedia:
Heinrich Marschner
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Station 2, Standort Altes Theater / Site of Old Theatre |
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Standort Marschner-Wohnhaus / Site of the Marschner residence (Music Trip station 3) |
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