Elise Schmezer

Elise Kratky Schmezer (1810–1856) was a German singer and teacher who composed one opera and many songs.

Schmezer’s father Josef Kratky taught trumpet, trombone, and horn in Graz (today in Austria). She performed as a singer in Graz until her marriage to the tenor Friedrich Schmezer in the 1830s and his appointment as a singer/director in Braunschweig, Germany, in 1836. Elise Schmezer composed and taught voice after their move to Braunschweig. 1845 – Modern Salon Compositions for Piano, Op. 1 by Louis Köhler 1850 – Douze Études for Piano by Charles Mayer

In 1853, Schmezer’s opera Otto der Schütz premiered in Brunswick at the Herzogliches Hoftheater. The libretto by Friedrich Schmezer was based on works by Alexandre Dumas and Johanna Kinkel.

Schmezer’s compositions were published by Bachmann & Nagel, Damkohler, Heinrichshofen, Carl Luckhardt, Mayer, and A. M. Schlesinger. No. 1 “Gondoliera (Keine Rosen ohne Dornen)” (text by Otto Inkermann as C. O. Sternau) No. 2 “Auf Posten” (text by Wilhelm Hauff) No. 3 “Zigeunerlied aus dem Persischen” (text by Georg Friedrich Daumer) No. 4 “Gondoliera (Felice notte Marietta)” (text by Otto Inkermann as C. O. Sternau) Opus 11, Berg und See, aus Amaranth (text by Oscar von Redwitz-Schmölz) No. 1 “Der Ursprung der Harfe” No. 2 “Du wundersüßes Kind” (text by Otto Indermann as C. O. Sternau) No. 3 “Was treibt dich umher, in der Frühlingsnacht?” (text by Heinrich Heine) Opus 18, Lieder mit englischem Texte von Robert Burns Opus 20, Two Songs