The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1920-09-06
noble-hearted woman whose charity

Her admirers in New York city
will celebrate the event in a 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 given. The
proceeds of the concert will be given
to the same charitable institutions to
which Jenny Lind gave the proceeds
of the original concert.
Frieda Hempel will appear in ths
role of her famous predecessor. She
will wear an exact copy Of the gown
worn by the ninteenth 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 then-a piano
autographed by the Swedish Night
ingale .on the night of her debut.
The centennial concert will be
given in Carnegie Hall on the even
ing of October 6. Castle Garden the
scene of Jenny Lind's first American
triumph, has been transformed. into
the Aquarium and thus is deprived
of the honor of housing another me-
mcrable audience.
It,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 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 her when she was in this
country.
Other American cities where Jen-
ny Lind sang are arranging to cele-
brate the day.
Jenny Lind was born in Stockholm
of humble parents. She sang from
childhood and famous teachers be-
car1c interested in her: At %, her
voice entirely failed. Four years la
ter it came back and her remarkable
career began. Her first operatic role
was Alice in Meyerbeer's Robert lie
Diable." Having been acclaimed in
her own country and in Norway, she
carried her conquests to the conti-
nent and to England.
She was probably the most talked
of person in public life in all Europe
when Barnum, without having been
her or heard her, persuaded her to
make a tour of the United Safes.
No sooner was the contract signed
than the new impressario according
to his autobiography, ''began to
prepare the public mind for the re.
ception of the great songstress."
The steamer Atlantic that brought
her to this country, was saluted at
Sandy Hook and again as she played
up the Narrows. Forty thousand
people assembled at the landing and
on the surrounding piers to greet
her. Triumphal arches marked her
pathway. Crowds surged around
her hotel and clamored for her ar-
pearance. Auctions for the sale Of
tickets brought thousands of buyers.
Genin a hatter-"a Mad Halter"
they called him-paid $25 for the
first New York ticket. His unheard
of extravaganza made him famous.
The highest price paid for a single
ticket was in Providence, where the
bit of pastebeard was knocked down
to Colonel Ross for $3.50.
The Nightingale gave about 135
concerts in this country-more than
35 in New York City. Everywhere
audiences fought to gain entrance to
the concert halls. Everywhere they
stormed her with applause-and ev-
erywhere admirers and charity seek
ers besieged her. Extra concerts