A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Bürde-Ney, Jenny

BÜRDE-NEY, Jenny, whose maiden name was Ney (said by Pougin to be a relative of Marshal Ney), was born Dec. 21, 1826, at Gratz. She was taught singing by her mother, herself a singer, and first appeared in opera at Olmütz (1847), afterwards at Prague, Lemberg, and Vienna (1850-53), and finally at Dresden. In the last-named city, where she first appeared Dec. 1853, as Valentine, she attained a great reputation as the successor of Schroeder-Devrient, and was engaged there until her retirement from the stage about 1868, having in the meanwhile married, Jan. 31, 1855, Paul Bürde, an actor at the same theatre. In 1855–56 she was engaged at the Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden, and Lyceum. She first appeared April 19, '55, as Leonora (Fidelio), on the occasion of the state visit of Her Majesty and the Emperor and Empress of the French, on whose account no attention was paid to the singer. She repeated this part twice, but was very coolly received. Professor Morley remarked her performance with favour in his 'Journal of a London Playgoer.' On May 10, 1855, she was better received as Leonora on the production in England of 'Trovatore,' the only other part she played during her engagement. She also sang with some success at the Philharmonic. It would be hard … to name a soprano voice more rich, more sweet, more even than hers. It was a voice better taught, too, than the generality of German voices—a voice delivered without force and inequality,—with due regard to beauty of tone and grace in ornament. But the new language and accent hampered Madame Ney; and her powers as an actress here seemed to be only limited.' (Chorley.) She died May 17, 1886.

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