The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-12-12
Jenny Lind.

The following sketch of Jenny Lind,
from the pen of Hans Christian Anderson,
one of the most gifted and distinguished lit
erary men Of Sweden, will he read with in.
terest. 1t is published in his work entitled
the True Story Of my Life: :"-''Let Us
now go back to the year 1910. One
day in my hotel at Copenhagen, saw the
name Jenny Lind among those OF the Swed-
ish strangers. That same year had been
in the neghboring country, and had been
received with much honor and kindness. 1t
would not therefore, he an sunbecomlng
thing on my part, were to visit tho young
artist. At this time she was almost entire
ly unknown out Of Sn eden; even in Copen-
hagen her name was known to but few
She received me with great courtesy, but
dstanilv and collly. She was, as she said,
on journey with her father to South Swe-
den, and was merely come over to Copen-
hagen to see the city. We shortly after
separated, aud had the impression left up
on me of no very ordinary character. Il
soon, however, passed away and had for
gotten Jenny Lind In the autum of lS43,
Jenny Lind again came to Copenhagen
Boumonyille, the ballet master, one Of my
friends, had married a Swedish lady, a
friend of the fair singer. He informed me
of her arrival, and told me that she remem-
bered' me very kindly, and had now read
most of my writings. He entreated me to
go with him and make call upon her. |
did so. was no longer received as n
stranger. She cordially extended her hand.
She spoke of my writings, and Of her friend
Miss Frederika Bremen. The conversation
then turned upon her appearance in Copen-
hagen. 81 have never made my appear
ance out Of SwedeD," said she. "Every-
body in my own land is SO affectionate and
loving to me. If | made my appearance
here, and should be hissed | dare not ven-
ture on it," said that [, it was true, could
not pass judgement up her; having never
heard her sing; but that, nevertheless, felt
convinced that such was then the disposi-
ton in Copenhagen, that she was certain to
be successful. Boumonvile's persuasion
eventually gained for the Copenhageners
the greatest enjoyment they ever had. Jen-
ny made made her first appearance in the
part of Aiice. 1t was new revelation in
found its way into every heart. Here truth
and nature reiyned. Everything was full
Of meaning and intelligence. At one con-
cert she sung her Swedish songs. They
were so peculiar and SO bewitching, thai,
I >
they exercised and omnipotent sway. The
whole Of Copenhagen was enra ptured. The
| first artist to whom the Danish students
gave a serenade was Jenny Lind. Torches
biazed around the villa where the serenade
was given. She came out and expressed her
thanks by singing one Of her Swedish songs.
| saw her then hasten into the darkest cor
ner or the room we were in, and weep for
emotion. Eyes, yes" she said, "I will ex-
ert myself You shall see that will be bet
ter qualified when again visit Copenha-
gen" On the stage she is the great artist
who rises above all that are around her.
In her own chamber she is a young and
sensitive, girl, possessed with all The humil-
ity aud piety OF a child. In Copenhagen her
advent made an epoch in the history Of our
opera. She showed our art in all It's sane
tity. ! had behed one of its ves,als. She
returned to Stockholm, Thence FretIerika
Bremen wrote to me-s.We are both Of US
agreed as to Jenny Lind as singer. She
stands as high as any artist ofour time well
can stand. But as yet you do not know her
in her real greatness. Speak to her of her
art, and you will wonder at the expansion
of her mind. Her counteRance is lighted
with inspiration. Converse with her upon
God, and of the holiness of religion, tears
will spring from those innocent eyes. She
is great artist, but she is still greattr in the
pure humanity of her existence. Indeed
nothing can lessen the impression made by
Jenny Lind's greatness on the stage, save
her personal character in her own :lon,c.--
Her intelligent and chiliiike disposition here
exercises a singular power. She Is happy
belonging no longer TO tho world. YET she
A.