A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Haitzinger, Anton
HAITZINGER, Anton, born in 1796 at Wilfersdorf, Lichtenstein, Austria, was sent at the age of 14 to the college of Cornenburg, whence he returned with the degree of licentiate; and soon after found a professor's place at Vienna. He continued to study music, and took lessons in harmony from Wölkert; while his tenor voice was daily developing and improving. Having received some instructions from Mozzati, the master of Mme. Schröder-Devrient, he decided to give up his profession for that of a public singer. He was first engaged at the An-der-Wien Theatre in 1821 as primo tenore, and made triumphant débuts as Gianetto ('Gazza Ladra '), Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), and Lindoro ('L'Italiana in Algieri'). His studies were continued under Salieri. His reputation becoming general, several new rôles were written for him, among others that of Adolar in 'Euryanthe'; and he paid successful visits to Prague, Presburg, Frankfort, Carlsruhe, etc. The last-named place became his head-quarters until his retirement.
In 1831 and 32 he created a deep impression at Paris with Mme. Schröder-Devrient, in 'Fidelio,' 'Oberon,' and 'Euryanthe.' In 1832 he appeared in London, with the German company conducted by M. Chelard. His voice, described by Lord Mount-Edgcumbe as 'very beautiful, and almost equal to Tramezzani's,' seemed 'throaty and disagreeable' to Mr. Chorley. The latter describes him as 'a meritorious musician with an ungainly presence; an actor whose strenuousness in representing the hunger of the imprisoned captive in the dungeon trenched closely on burlesque.' (See Moscheles' Life, i. 270 etc.) Haitzinger sang here again in 1833 and also in 1841, and in 1835 at St. Petersburg. He died at Carlsruhe Dec. 31, 1869.
Owing to the late beginning of his vocal studies, he never quite succeeded in uniting the registers of his voice; but his energy and intelligence atoned for some deficiency of this kind. There is a song by him, 'Vergiss mein nicht,' published by Fischer of Frankfort. He married Mme. Neumann, 'an actress of reputation,' at Carlsruhe; and established a school of dramatic singing there, from which some good pupils came forth, including his daughter.