The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-08-21
AMERICA TO HONOR
MEMORY OF JENNY LIND
First Concert Program in This Coun.
try by Swedish Nightingale to Be
Reproduced.


pay tribute to Jenny Lind on October
g. the one hundredth anniversary Of
the birth OF the Swedish Nightingale,
whom p. T. Barnum brought to this
country in 1850 on her spectacular con.
cert tour OF nearly two years. The cen
tennial is to be commemorated through
out the music-loving world. In Sweden,
in England and in other countries
where she sang, fitting plans are I'M
der way to honor the greatest singer
of her time-the fine, noble-hearted
woman, whose charity was as rare as
her art
Her admirers in New York city will
celebrate the event in an unique way.
They will give an historical concert
reproduce the first concert Jenny Lind
gave in this country bringing back
the stage picture and atmosphere OF
that memorable night of September IL,
1850. The same program will be Civ
en-. The proceeds of the concert will
be given to the same charitable insti-
tutions to which Jenny Lind gave the
proceeds Of the. original concert
Frieda Hempel will appear in the
role Of her famous predecessor She
will wear an exact copy Of the gown
worn by the nineteenth century diva;
will sing the same arias, and play her
own accompaniments to the same
group of songs on the same piano
Jenny Lind played them-a piano auto
graphed by the Swedish Nightingale
on the night Of her debut.
The centennial concert will be given
in Carnegie Hall on the Evening OF
October s. Castle Garden, the scene
of Jenny Lind's first American triumph
has been transformed into the Aquar-
| ium and thus is deprived of the honor
OF housing another memorable audi
ence.
1t Is contemplated to hold a CEN
tennial exhibit, however, in the old
/ circular building in Battery Park
from October to October 10. Many
of Jenny Lind's personal belongings
and interesting relics associated with
her tour here will be shown The old
concert grand piano will have its place
OF honor.
On the afternoon Of October 6, the
ark 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 when
she was in this country.
Other American cities where Jenny
Lind sang are arranging to celuebrate
the day
Jenny Lind was born in Stockholm
OF humble parents. She sang from
childhood and famous teachers became
interested in her. At IL, her voice
entirely failed. Four years later ii
came back and her remarkable career
began. Her first operate role was
Alice in Meyerbeers Robert lie Diable'
Having been acclaimed in her own
country and in Norway she carried
her conquests to the continent and to
England.
She was probably the most talked of
lperson in public life 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
! impressario. according to his autobi.
| osraphy began to prepare the public
mind for the reception of the great
songstress"
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 aud on
the surrounding piers to greet her.
! Triumphal arches marked her pathway
| Crowds surged around her hotel and
clamored for her appearance Auc-
ons for the sale Of tickets brought
thousands of buyers. Genin, a hater,
"a Mad Halter" they" they called him
pad S225 for the first New York
ticket, His unheard Of extravaganza
made him famous The highest paste
board was knocked down to Colonel
Ross for $3.50
The Nightingale gave about 1876 con.
certs in this country--more than 35
in New York city. Everywhere audi.
ences fought to gain entrance to the
concert halls. Everywhere they
stormed her with applause and every
where admirers and charity seekers
beseiged her Extra concerts had to
be given to satisfy the throngs-and
Jenny Lind herself added more con.
certs for charity.
People prominent in public life paid
her great honors. Mayors and COVER
nors presented their compliments in
person.
Jenny Lind broke her contract with
Barnum with SIS concerts yet to sing
but the great Snowman and the Night
ingale parted friends, While visiting
in Boston, she was married to Otto
Goldschmidt, 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
and those to whom the memory has
been handed down all tell the same
story-''It was wonderful!