Anna de Friedebourg by Ken

ANNA CARLOWNA FRIEDEBOURG
25 December 1829- 11 May 1903
Russian Contralto

Wife of pianist Theodore (Fedor) Leshetitsky. She was born in St. Petersburg in the family of a doctor, she showed bright musical abilities from her childhood. The attention of Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna attracted attention, which took her in 7-year-old7-year-old age for education in the Mikhailovsky Palace. In 1848 she graduated from the Mariinsky Institute, she studied singing. She performed in opera with Italian singers. Repeatedly played with A.G. Rubinstein. Since 1856, together with her husband, she has performed concerts in the cities of Russia and in Europe. She participated in the creation of the Russian Musical Society (1859), performed (until 1863) in his concerts. She finished her performances in 1891. From 1871 she was teaching, giving private lessons, teaching at music schools. She was buried at the Nikolsky Cemetery of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

A pupil of Viardot, Garcia, her method was perfect, and as for the depth of sentiment she expressed, I can only repeat what Anton Rubinstein said: “That voice was a tear.” It was the grand duchess’ wish that her gifted young protégée should become acquainted with the songs of Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn, and others of the German school; and it was with great zeal that pianist Theodor Leschetizsky undertook his task. They married 1856 and remained together until 1871 when they divorced