Corinthian Hall contained a large and fashionable audience on the
occasion of the concert by this new candidate for popular favour, on
Thursday evening. We have never seen an audience more curiously
expectant than this was, for the _début_ of this new vocalist. Hardly
had her first note fallen upon their ears, however, before their wonder
and astonishment were manifest in an interchange of glances and words of
approval, and the hearty applause that responded to the first verse she
sung, was good evidence of the satisfaction she afforded. The aria "Oh
Native Scenes," was loudly encored, and in response she gave the pretty
ballad "When Stars are in the Quiet Sky."
The "Salut a la France" was one of her most difficult pieces, but was
loudly encored, and in response, she astonished the audience, and called
down thunders of applause with the bass of "Old Hundred," and the
barytone of "When Stars, &c."
The gem of the evening, however, was, "Like the Gloom of Night
Retiring." It was a bold attempt for the Black Swan to sing "Do Not
Mingle," after Jenny Lind and Parodi; but she succeeded in rendering its
difficult passages with considerable taste, and a good degree of
justice. It is in pieces of this kind that her untaught powers come into
direct competition with the masterly training and careful cultivation of
the _artistes_ above named, and the difference is perceptible. But the
voice is there, and with that she is destined, if skilfully taught, to
achieve a fame that will be world-wide.
Lockport.
This extraordinary vocalist, whose performances at Buffalo and Rochester
have created so much excitement, will make her appearance before a
Lockport audience, on Thursday evening next. We cannot speak from
personal knowledge of her abilities as a vocalist, but she comes to us
with such high endorsements of popular favour, that we very cheerfully
commend her to our citizens as an _artiste_ of the very highest order of
talent, and can safely promise a rich entertainment.
The _Buffalo Commercial Advertiser_ says:
Miss Greenfield is about twenty-five years of age, and has received what
musical education she has in the city of Philadelphia; she is, however,
eminently self-taught, possessing fine taste, and a nice appreciation,
with a voice of wonderful compass, clearness and flexibility; she
renders the compositions of some of the best masters in a style which
would be perfectly satisfactory to the authors themselves. Her low, or
properly _bass_ notes, are wonderful, especially for a female voice, and
in these she far excels any singing we have ever heard.
We learn that this singer, (soon to become celebrated we opine) will
give a concert in this city on Thursday next. There is no doubt that the
novelty of hearing a coloured woman perform the most difficult music
with extraordinary ability, will give éclat to the concert. All
representations unite in ascribing to Miss Greenfield the most
extraordinary talents, and a power and sweetness of vocalization that
is really unsurpassed. Such being the case, as we are bound to believe
upon good and abundant evidence, she deserves to receive the attention
which is given her.
Utica Daily Observer, January 13, 1852.
The Black Swan had a crowded house last evening, to enjoy her voice and
criticise her musical powers. The songs she gave, were in the main very
difficult of execution, and well calculated to test the qualities of the
Swan. The manner in which she gave "The Last Rose of Summer," elicited
an encore, when she gave a specimen of her notes, which were so
supernatural for a feminine, as to excite belief that a male biped was
usurping her prerogative. The deepest bass of the most wonderful
barytone could not surpass it, and the greatest wonder was excited.
"Kathleen Mavourneen," and "O, Native Scenes," were remarkably well
sung. The only failure we noticed was on some of the high notes, in
pieces requiring very rapid execution, where she seemed to want that
faculty of rapid and easy transition, so remarkable in Jenny Lind and
Kate Hayes.
We doubt not, that with proper cultivation, the Black Swan will win the
high reputation as a singer, which her remarkable powers should give
her.
* * * * *
Gratifying evidences of personal affection often found their way to her
in letters like the subjoined:
Utica, January 13, 1853.