A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Fröhlich
FRÖHLICH. There were four sisters of this name, all natives of Vienna.
1. The eldest, Nanette (Anna), born Sept. 19, 1793, a pupil of Hummel for the piano, and of Hauss and Siboni for singing, became an excellent artist in both branches. From 1819–54 she was teacher of singing at the Conservatoire of Vienna, where she trained many dramatic and concert singers, since celebrated. She will be always gratefully remembered for having induced F. Schubert to write the following pieces:—'Gott ist mein Hirt' (Psalm xxiii), op. 132; and 'Gott in der Natur,' op. 133, both for 4 women's voices; 'Nachthelle,' op. 134, for tenor solo and 4 men's voices; the Serenade ('Zögernd, leise'), op. 135, for alto solo and 4 women's voices; Miriam's Song, op. 136; and Des Tages Weihe (Schicksalslenker'), op. 146, for soprano solo and chorus. Grillparzer wrote the words for the Serenade and Miriam's Song also at her instigation.
2. Barbara, born August 30, 1797, excelled both as a contralto singer and a painter of portraits and flowers. She married Ferdinand Bogner, a government employé and eminent flute-player, who was honorary professor at the Conservatoire from 1821 until his death in 45.
3. Josephine, born Dec. 12, 1803, a distinguished singer, pupil of her sister at the Conservatoire (1819–21), made her début at concerts so successfully that she was immediately engaged for the court theatre (1821–22). Shortly afterwards, however, she went to Copenhagen, and completed her studies under Siboni, who had settled there. As a concert singer she was very well received in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, and was appointed private singer to the King of Denmark. Later she went to Italy, and sang in the operas of Venice (1829) and Milan (31) with brilliant success. The Societa Apollinea of Venice elected her an honorary member. After her return to Vienna she seldom appeared at concerts, and turned her attention almost entirely to teaching singing. She died May 7, 1878.
4. Katharina, born June 10, 1800, though not a musician, must not be omitted from this band of sisters. Her cultivated mind and sympathetic disposition eminently fitted her to be the intimate friend and associate of the great Austrian poet Grillparzer, who was deeply susceptible to music, and passed the greater part of his life in the house of these sisters until his death in 1872. It was 'Kathi' especially, with her quiet unassuming ways, whom the poet reverenced as his purest ideal, and who inspired him with many of his poems. She died Mar. 3, 1879.