A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Zerr, Anna

ZERR, Anna, born July 26, 1822, at Baden-Baden; was taught singing by Bordogni, and first appeared in opera at Carlsruhe, in 1839, where she remained until 1846, and was subsequently engaged at Vienna. In 1851 she obtained leave of absence, and made her first appearance in England May 19 at Catherine Hayes' Concert, at the Hanover Square Rooms, and sang with great success there and at other concerts, including one given for the benefit of the Hungarian Refugees. On this account, on her return to Vienna, she was deprived of her diploma of Court chamber singer, and was not permitted to sing again at the opera during the remainder of her engagement. On July 10 she made her début at the Royal Italian Opera as Astrafiammente, on the production of the Zauberflöte, with great effect. She re-appeared in 1852 in the same part, and in that of Lucia; on July 15 as Rosa on the revival of Spohr's Faust; on Aug. 17 as Catherine on the production of 'Pietro il Grande' (Jullien). She afterwards sang at the Birmingham Festival, at Jullien's concerts, went to America, and retired from public life in 1857. On June 14, 1881, she died, at her residence, Winterbach, near Oberkirch, Baden.

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