Mary Burrell

“ Gifted with a voice combining the resources of soprano and contralto in one—or rather with two voices (wrote one able critic) ; a well-accentuated style of declamation; endowed with a grace which made every attitude a pictorial study, no wonder that Mlle. Johanna Wagner took the house by storm.'
In 1859 she married Herr Landrath Jachmann, and two years later had the misfortune to lose her voice suddenly and completely. She then bravely entered upon a second artistic career, as an actress, her very exceptional gifts enabling her to do so with brilliant success. ”

“ She appeared at six as Salome in the 'Donauweibchen.' In 1843 her uncle heard her sing the part of Myrrha in Winter's 'Unterbrochene Opferfest,' and in May 1844 obtained a temporary engagement for her at the Royal Opera at Dresden, where he was preparing the first performance of his 'Rienzi.' Though but sixteen she had such success as Irma in 'Maurer und Schlosser,' and Agathe in the 'Freischütz,' that she was not only engaged for three years, but the management paid the fine necessary to release her from her contract at the Ducal Theatre at Bernburg. ”