The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-05-01
LETTER FROM CINCINNATI.

Jenny Lind and her Concerts -Anti-Siavery Conven
tion-City Elections.
CINCINNATI, april 20, 1851.
To the Editor of the National Era:
The Swedish Nightingale" made her advent
among us on the 18th instant, and left us for the
East last night Immediately after the close of her
fifth concert This series Of Eve concerts have
marked an era in the history Of our city. Never
before have such large and brilliant audiences
been called together to listen to any performers
nor anything like the amount of money expended
for musical northumberland 1t is not likely
there will be soon again. From the first concert
to the last, the National Theatre, where they
were held, the only room in the city suitable for
the purpose which could be procured,) was crowd
ed with intelligent and approaching audiences,
drawn not only from our own city, but all the
leading towns in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.
| have not seen as many strangers In our streets
at any time since the State Fair last fall-our
city was throngsd with visiters drawn here by the
fame Of the most distinguished living vocalist,
anxious to listen to the melody Of her voice
The arrangements Of Mr.. Barnum were com.
plets; the ssles Of tickets took place each morn
ing, or on the day previous to the concert no
more tickets were sold than there were seats in
the house, and at the appointed time the audi
snce were quickly and comfortably seated There
was great enthusiasm manifested In the purchase
Of tickets, especially for the first and second con.
certs, and prices went higher than even Barnum
had expected. The nrs or prize ticket was
bought by Mr.. McElevey, merchant tailor, on
Broadway, for 1915 premium; and the Others
went off at premiums ranging from two to eleven
dollars for seats In the first and second circles of
boxes and parquette, and from one dollar to six
and seven for seats in the third circle and gallery
The first concert brought nearly $4,000; the
second, $4,000 and the others upwards Of
$4,000 each. The entire proceeds Of the five
concerts must have been from $50, 900 to ss5, 000
This is better than has been done by any Ameri-
can city, in proportion to population unless New
York be excepted MIR Bsrnum himself says the
anxiety for tickets, the enthusiasm, the prices,
went beyond his expectations. Had three con-
certs more been given, there can be no doubt they
would have been a. well patronired Owing to
the limited size Of the room seating about 800
persons,) large numbers were prevented from at
tending at every concert who would have been
glad to have done 80. These concerts, then, may
be said TO have been universally successful, as far
Is profit to Mr. Barnum, and all engaged with
him, is concerned and, judging from the general
expressions Of opinion, they have been equally
satisfactory TO those who pstronired them.
Were the singing Of Jenny Lind viewed mere
~ In sn srtisical light, and subjected to the re-
verest rules Of musical criticism, it would stand
unrivallsd. From what We hAveread Of the pow
ers Of Madames Malibrsn and Cstslini, II would
equal, II not surpass, theirs Bat though In come
Of her songs there IL nothing apparently more
than nns exhibition Of oorrec, and highly nn-
ished musical expression, and In most Of them
nothing TO touch the sympathes or arouse the
passions, there 10 yet a something which charms
alike the undisoiplned and disciplined ear. II Is
understandable, and must be heard TO be felt and
appreciated "Homs, sweet homs," under any