Rochester next extended an invitation for her to visit that city. We
copy the invitation:--
"The undersigned having heard of the musical ability of Miss Elizabeth
T. Greenfield, of the city of Buffalo, and being desirous of having her
sing in Rochester, request that she will give a public concert in this
city at an early day, and feel confident that it will afford a
satisfactory entertainment to our citizens. Signed,
"Edwin Scrantom, Levi A. Ward, H. A. Brewster, W. H. Perkins, D. M.
Dewey, Geo. Hart, H. S. Allis, Freeman Clark, Isaac Butts, D. T.
Walbridge, E. Peshine Smith, L. Kelly, M. F. Reynolds, Alex. Grant, W.
A. Reynolds, L. B. Swan, Elias Paul, O. L. Sheldon, Alex. Mann, George
Dutton, jr., D. Perrin, James S. Bush, H. P. Stevens, John E. Morey, F.
S. Ren, C. P. Dewing, L. R. Jerome, L. P. Beey, James F. Bush."
Rochester, Dec. 6th, 1851.
This evening, in Corinthian Hall, the anticipated entertainment is to be
presented to our music-loving citizens. Curiosity will lead many to
attend, to whom the performance of a coloured _prima donna_ is a
phenomenon at once wonderful and rare. Miss Greenfield has received from
all who have heard her, the name of being a vocalist of extraordinary
power.
Speaking of her concert in Buffalo, the "Express" says, "On Monday,
Parodi in all her splendour, sustained by Patti and Strakosh, sung at
Corinthian Hall to half a house. Last night Miss Greenfield sang at the
same place to a crowded house of the respectable, cultivated, and
fashionable people of the city. Jenny Lind has never drawn a better
house, as to character, than that which listened with evident
satisfaction to this unheralded, and almost unknown African Nightingale.
Curiosity did something for her, but not all. She has merit, very great
merit, and with cultivation (instruction) she will rank among the very
first vocalists of the age. She has a voice of great sweetness and
power, with a wider range from the lowest to the highest notes than we
have ever listened to; flexibility is not wanting, and her control of it
is beyond example, for a new and untaught vocalist. Her performance was
received with marked approbation and applause, from those who knew what
to applaud."
It remains now for the citizens of Rochester to give her the
commendation of their patronage, and then she is fully afloat. It will
not be the first time that the verdict of this city in matters musical,
has been responded to by the world. The price of tickets is one dollar;
and all must see the propriety of this charge, in a singer who has to
combat the most crushing and the common contempt of another race--the
race too, from whom she must receive her patronage and support. The
Black Swan must contend for the highest prize, and sing for the best
price, or she falls below even the second rank. It is first among the
foremost with her, or a direct consignment to a low level. The
consciousness of talent, moreover, will not allow her to put too low an
estimate upon her qualifications, and she makes her appeal, therefore,
to the generosity of a public who cannot fail to appreciate the peculiar
condition in which she is placed.
_Another city Paper says_,
Much has been said and written of this personage since she was
introduced to the public as a musical prodigy. All sorts of surmises and
conjectures have been indulged in, respecting the claim put forth of her
merit, and generally the impression seemed to prevail that the novelty
of "colour" and idle curiosity, accounted more for the excitement
raised, than her musical powers. Well, she has visited our place, and
given our citizens an opportunity of judging for themselves. We are
ignorant of music, and unqualified to criticise, but a large audience
were in attendance at Ringueberg Hall last evening--among those present
were our musical amateurs--and we heard but one expression in regard to
the new vocalist, and that was, wonder and astonishment at the
extraordinary power and compass of her voice, and the ease with which
she passed from the highest to the lowest notes seemed without an
effort. Her first notes of "Where are now the hopes?" startled the whole
audience, and the interchange of glances succeeded by thunders of
applause, at the end of the first verse, showed that her success was
complete. She was loudly encored, and in response sung the barytone,
"When stars are in the quiet sky," which took down the whole house.
We have neither time nor space to follow her through her different
pieces. Suffice it to say, that there never was a concert given in this
town, which appeared to give more general satisfaction, and every person
we met on leaving the hall, expressed their entire approbation of her
performance. No higher compliment could be paid to the "Swan," than the
enthusiastic applause which successfully greeted her appearance, and the
encore which followed her several pieces.
There was a very general expression among the audience, that the sable
vocalist should give another concert, and, at the earnest solicitation
of several of our citizens, Col. Wood, her gentlemanly manager, has
consented to give another entertainment to-morrow evening, when the
"Black Swan" will give a new programme, consisting of some of Jenny
Lind's most popular songs.
The concert on Thursday evening, was what in other cases would have been
called a triumph. The house was full--the audience a fashionable
one--the applause decided, and the impression made by the singer highly
favourable.
We can safely say that Miss Greenfield possesses a voice of remarkable
qualities; singular for its power, softness and depth. Of all this she
gave ample evidence in the twelve or more pieces she sang--a feat in
itself giving evidence of great vocal resources. There is a lack of
training perceptible, although the Swan sings with great correctness,
and evident close regard of the notes upon the music sheet. No one can
hear her without acknowledging her talents--if that is the right
expression--but what is to come of this we are not advised. A couple of
years' severe training is indispensable, before she can safely be put
before the public on a sure footing.
Again:
_Rochester, Corinthian Hall_.
This astonishing songstress has made her appearance in Rochester, and
will sing this evening in Corinthian Hall, the most commodious building
in western New York. She ought to have as large a house, and as
brilliant, as any that thronged to hear the Swedish Nightingale. We
heard the "Black Swan" more than two years ago, in Philadelphia and New
York, in rooms little adapted to give effect to her performances; but we
were, even then, struck with the astonishing compass, power, and
clearness of her voice. We understand that since that time, she has
applied herself with praiseworthy perseverance and assiduity to the
cultivation of her extraordinary powers, and has attained great
proficiency in the art, which is evidently the bent of her genius. By
her own energy, and unassisted, she has made herself mistress of the
harp, guitar, and piano. We are informed that the proceeds of the
entertainment this evening, are to be wholly appropriated to the
completion of her musical education in Paris, under the world-famed
Garcia. We predict for Miss Greenfield a successful and brilliant
future.