The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-27
Abe Concerts of Jenny Lind, and Musical
Taste In Havana.


speoting Banum's speculation in Havana, the
writer's OF which have been as active for the
Spanish journals as public curiosity could desire
On reading the entire description of the history Of
the affair, two points impress themselves al once
upon the mind; and these are, that the peculiarly
remarkable arrangements Of Barnum were such as
could not fail 10 displease community at once
intelligent, refined and in every respect liberal, in
the cultivation and encouragement OF the fine arts
and that the result, consequently, was caused by
the conduct of the speculator. Barnum seems TO
have addres sed himself TO the Havana public as
he did to this city, where floating population, who
are usually led by some conventional excite
meni, rather than by a discriminating taste for
that which is excellent in art, can f3rnish at
any time very admirable show of forms, faces,
and fashions. There is, however, in our me-
uopohs, very large class who have always
exhibited better taste, and whose admiration of
art is always excited when there are just grounds
for il. This class, we have reason TO believe
would listen to Jenny Lind with real pleasure, al
any time /; but they would not desire, and have
not yet wished, TO hear her through the medium
of extorton. Sc has II been in Havana during
Jenny Liad's visit, which has been curious and
funny affair, as may be seen by the various COM
ments Of the Spanish newspapers. The whole en-.
loyment that might have been derived from the
singing of the vocalist has been sen5ibly affected
by the dsagreeable circumstances which have
attended her in her career among the Spanards.
Whether or no; she will entertain the same feel
ings towards them as she is reputed to have for
the taste of the Parsians and Italians, time alone
can determine-but one thing is certain, tina. the
remarkable character OF her visit TO Havana has
added very strong proofs Of the refined musical
taste of the Cuban capital Nc one can read the
articles IN tho Havana papers without gathering,
from their general character, the NEST thorough
admiration for the musical taste of the people,
while no one can wonder that Barnum's condact
should have excited their dspleasure.
Il may be remembered that while Jenny Lind
was here, We urged plainly and Significantly
enough that Barnum's prices were altogether
beyond endurance. At that point We remained
fixed, till the Prince Of Iranistan reduced his taxes
THIS we did no; only for the sake of he public,
whose voice came 10 US losd with complaint
every hour, but thar the generous woman, the
cultivated vocalist. and the idol of the musi-
cal world, might not be sacrificed at the
shrine of q desperate cupidity. The admon-
ton, however, seems TO have been Of no avail
beyond the precincts of the city. Barnum went
TO Boston gave great dissatisfaction Injured
himself, end the Justly celebrated Nightingale of
Sweden, and then turned his ambition towards
Havana, only 10 present the world with repetition
Of those foles in Management, for which he had
been so often censured and finally rebuked
What he did in Havana has been described in
the various journals of the Cuban capital; and even
The Faro I~dastriai, which originally favored the
enterprise of Barnum, and has been most steadfAst
his side admits that the dissatisfaction of the
public arose from displeasure at the Management,
rather than from any want of appreciation Of the
talents of Jenny Lind. The pecuniry success,
therefore, Of the four given by the vocalist
has been slim enough and i. is quite probable that
lose Of from ten 10 fifteen thousand dollars will
fall upon the manager, who has only to attribute
10 his own rash conceit this termination Of that
brilliant January which was to pour the wealth Of
CTosus into his lap. Had he been contented with
giving his concerts al the Opera prices instead Of
doubling them, very different result, would have
been seen, and one in which the justly celebrated
vocalist would no, have appeared as the victim.
We said, on the arrival Of Paroii here, that Ma
reizek's quiet and rnobrusiye course would best
comport wi b the public taste, and that, art.
ist, he would direct the Opera for the benet, Of that
dramatic songs,ress. What has been the fact
Precisely what we predicted; and after forty nights
We hnd Parod in The very height Of success, and
filing every seat in the Opera House. Such is the
difference between exaggeration and a willingness
10 leave the psblic TO form their own conclusions
Of public performer.
The public taste Of Havana il perhaps no, less
distinguished than that Of any city in the world,
and, in proportion 10 the number Of It's inh abb ANTS,
pays more towards the encouragement Of artists
than many city more highly celebrated. Ia the
realm Of music they have revelled for many years,
supporting opera company of the frs; class-not
wi a mere fashionable show, but with cordial
appreciation Of everything exalted in the lyric art,
The artists who have visited us from time to time
after being in tina, capital have instructed un
ders,snd the style Of music which the Cabans most
delight in-.hat which appeals least % unculiya,ed
ears. The Swedish melodies, it seems, had little
charm for them. The pyroiechnics Of the
voice were brilliant, but cold. They sought,
in he concerts Of Jenny Lind, for musical
expression no; as exhibited ia the mere graces and
embelshme Of the schools but in the iaton iion
and in that taste which seems to be a tie between
the soul ami lie utterance. Though we find few
Of the specaites Of criticism 10 the Spanish Jour
male, yet is quite evident tina, ell the merits Of
Jenny Lind were appreciated by the audiences TO
their fullest extent and We think not the lees Of
that musical taste which could prefer the beautiful
oardtire Of operss 70 the remarkable, Jet some
what lllseiiimaie, Embellishments of song con-
tanned in the Wild melodies Of sweden, as they
have been te rned in the concert programmes Ca
ialini ruined her reputation by leaving her com
posers, to indulge IN her own fights Of fancy She
cspiivated Europe but she lost her name among
the great yocslists Of the age Sh- sacrificed
every thing to astonish IN concerts BY her embel
lishments, and faally ives unable TO appear At all
with success upon the lyric .iage Pasta took
wistrnnnrse She united the dramatic element 10