Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-09-23
Early Days of the National Theater

which she sang was specially con-
structed on the site of the first Ma
tlonal Theater, which had burned to
the ground on March 5, 1845. Messrs
Willard and Reeside erected the hall
for the purpose ana the event was an
epoch in Washington musical life.
Jenny Lind
The morning after Miss Lind arrived
in Washington President Fillmore called
at her lodgings and lett his card. the
diva not being at home The next day
she returned the Presidents call. Both
this concert and the one given on
Wednesday, December 10, were attended
by the President and his family and
every member of the cabinet. Also in
the audience were Henry Clay, Thomas
h. Benton, Foote, Cass and Gen. Scott
and nearly every member of Congress.
The following day Daniel Webster,
Henry Clay. Gen. Cass and Col Benton
called upon Miss Lind.
1t is related that when she visited the
Capitol. both houses of Congress were in
session and that she took the arm of
c. F. Cleveland. Representative from
Connecticut, who escorted her into
various parts of the Capitol and grounds.
She also visited Mount Vernon, accom-
panied by Col. Washington and Mr.. Sea-
ton. editor of the National Intelligencer.
Here book was taken from the library
and given her, signed by the illustrious
Washington himself.
Memorable Concert
The theater building, where the con-
certs were held, seated $500 persons,
and the prices ranged from 81 to 81.
In addition to the prima donna. she
had to assist her Signor Belleti, tenor;
Joseph Burke, violinist, and Messrs.
Kyle and Seide, fiutists. The orchestra
was conducted by Mr. Benedict and the
whole Germania Musical Society took
part in the concerts.
The concert given by this wonderful
singer was an affair many Washing
tonlans never forgot, and according to
an article written by the late Aloysius
Mudd for the Columbia Historical So
ciety, 1.-The audience began to assemble
as early as 6 o'clock and when at last
the appearance of Miss Lind gave to
reality the place of pentup expectation
she was greeted with burst of applause
which fairly shook the stout walls of
the building. Silence was at once re-
stored and as the beautiful strains of
the 'Casta Diva came clear and LIQUID
from the lips of this queen of song
deathlike stiffness prevailed. When she
finished there was a torrent of applause
which was repeated again and again.
Her next was a trio for voice and
two flutes, called Camp of Silesia, COM
posed expressly for Miss Lind. The
flutes were played by Messrs. Kyle and
Seide.
In this piece she initiated and sur
passed the most exquisite tones of the
flute by her finer cadence. Nothing
could excel the brilliancy of this per-
Torrance and it fairly set the audience
wild.
THE bird song and the echo song
were given with marvellous accuracy and
sweetness of melody perfectly unimag-
Unable until heard.
AT her second concert she sang for
the first time in America the national
song of Hail Columbia to which her
unrivaled voice, accompanied by Signor
Benedict's powerful and admirable
orchestra, gave the highest effect.
ut was supposed that the great crowd
of high and humble which f1ocked to the
first concert, notwithstanding the un-
heard-of, but necessary, prices was
moved chiefly by curiosity to hear one so
renowned in song and who had won so
many hearts by her goodness. But when
a greater crowd filled the immense hall
a second time, and at the same prices, it
could be justly ascribed to but one
cause, and that one the unequaled at
fractions of the artistic combined with
high esteem for the woman.
Her matches purity of style, sur
passing vocal powers and excellence of
private character had charmed the au-
dience and all Washington paid tribute
10 JENNY Linz.
Famous Violinist
Another notable parsonage who pre-
coded Miss Lind to this house was the
famous violinist Ole Bull, who came
here for the first time on Christmas.
lS43, he being assisted by Mrs Bailey.
But still within the recollection of
many there have been quite a number
OF excellent attractions which came to
the National during the 'S0s and COS,
ana even more recently. Plays, indeed,
devoid OF all unnecessary profanity and
Vulgarity. seemingly so essential to the
success OF some of the more modern
productions on stage and screen.
OF these more wholesome attractions
Robin Hood" might be mentioned, and
none who saw it produced by the Bos-
tonians in 1896 will ever forget De