The Washington times., 1920-09-30
JennyLind's 1850 Tour
OfU. s. to Be Recalled
On tooth Anniversary
Music Lovers All Over World to
Honor Memory OF Swedish
Nightingale.

NEW YORK. Sept. 5o.-Musical cir
cles throughout America viii pay
tribute on October 8 to Jenny Lind.
on the hundredth anniversary OF the
birth OF the Swedish Nightingale, who
was brought to this country by p. T.
Barnum in 1850 on her spectacular
concert tour. In many other coun-
tries, too. the centenary will be com
memorated and tribute paid the won
derful singer. Sweden and England
are among the countries where pro-
grams have been arranged TO honor
the greatest singer OF her time.
New York City will pay honor TO
Jenny Lind's memory by a historical
concert-reproducinE the first concert
Jenny Lind gave in this country,
bringing back the stage picture and
atmosphere OF that memorable night
OF September II, 1850. The same pro-
gram given on that night will be
repeated and the proceeds OF the con-
cert will be given TO the same chari-
table institution to which Jenny Lind
gave the proceeds of the original
concert.
GIVE SAME PROGRAM.
Frieda Hempel. wearing an exact
copy of the gown worn by the nine
teenth century diva, will sing the
same arias and play her own accom-
paniments to the group OF songs on
the same piano Jenny Lind played
then-a piano autographed by the
Swedish Nightingale on the night of
her American debut The concert will
be given In Carnegie Hall on the
night of October 6. Castle Garden
was the scene of Jenny Lind's fi-st
concert in this country. but now
transformed into an aquarium. IL thus
deprived OF the honor OF housing an
other memorable audience.
A centennial exhibit. however. will
be held in the old building from Octo.
Der l to 10. and many of Jenny Lind's
personal belongings and relics as
sociated with her tour will be shown.
The old concert grand piano will have
the place OF honor.
On the afternoon of October 6 the
park commissioners OF New York city
will present to the aquarium a marble
bust of Jenny Lind and a portrait Of
the famous singer. both made for hei
when she was In this country.
Other American cities where Jenny
Lind sang are arranging to celebrate
the day.
Jenny Lind was born in Stockholm
of humble parents. She sang from
childhood and famous teachers be-
came interested in he.' At twelve her
voice entirely failed. -Four years later
1t came back and her remarkable ca-
reer began.
Her first operatic role was Alice in
Meyerbeer's Robert lie Diable." Hav-
ing been acclaimed in her own coun-
try and in Norway. she carried het
conouests to the Continent and to
England.
BARNUM ARRANGED TOUR.
She was probably the most talked
of person in all Europe when Barnum.
without having seen her or heard
her persuaded her to make a tour OF
the United States. No sooner was the
contract signed than the new impre-
sario, his autobiography said. began
to prepare the public mind for the re-
option of the great &ongstress."
The steamer Atlantic that brought
her to this country was saluted at
Sandy Hook and again as she plowed
up the Narrows. Forty thousand peo-
pie assembled at the landing and on
the surrounding piers to greet her
Triumphal arches marked her path
way.
TICKETS AUCTTOyED.
Crowds surrounded her hotel and
clamored for her appearance. Auc-
tions for the sale Of tickets brought
thousands of buyers. Genin. a halter
"a mad halter" they called him
paid 1925 for the nrst New York
ticket.
His unheard-of extravagance made
him famous. The highest price paid
for a single ticket was in Providence,
where the bit of pasteboard was
knocked down to Colonel Ross for
$3.50.
The Nightingale gave about 135 con-
certs in this country-more than
thlrty-five in New York city. Every
where people fought to gain entrance
to the halls. Everywhere they storm
cd her with applause, and everywhere
| admirers and charity seekers beseiged
her. Extra concerts had to be given
to satisfy the throngs-and Jenny
Lind herself added more for charity.
HONORED EvERYwHERE.
The people prominent in public life
paid her great honors. Mayors and
Governors presented their compli-
ments in person.
Jenny Lind broke her contract with
Barnum with ffty-five concerts yet to
sing-but she and tho great Snowman
parted friends. While visiting in
| Boston she was married to Otto Gold
schmidt, composer and pianist and
shortly thereafter returned to Europe.
In 1858 she took up her residence in
England, where she died in 1887.
There Is no record of Jenny Lind's
voice. But the journals of her time,
the few living people who heard her
been handed down all tell the same
story-"Jt was wonderful"
ny 4 AJnC TAI DVvCCIA ABE