We have been favoured this afternoon, together with some ladies,
with a private musical entertainment by Miss E. T. Greenfield,
known as the "Black Swan"--and words would fail us to do her voice
justice, even were she _white_.
Never having heard the renowned Madame Goldschmidt, we can draw no
comparison between the Swan and her fairer Swedish rival; but
however she may compare with her, allow us to say she has the most
varied and powerful voice it has yet been our fortune to hear. She
gave us first the arietta, "Where are now the Hopes I've
cherished?" accompanying her voice with the guitar--which, as well
as the harp and piano, she uses very skilfully. This song, though
easy of execution, is charmingly sweet and plaintive--and how it
could be better performed than upon this occasion, it is difficult
to imagine. Every heart present was thrilled with her tones, which
flowed from her lips like gems.
Next we were favoured with a song in bass, accompanied with the
piano--in which a male voice was so closely imitated as to defy the
most acute ear to make it anything else; a male voice, however,
highly refined--deeper, stronger, sweeter--than ever before fell
upon our ear. The feelings of all present were delightfully
stirred,--even the atmosphere in which we sat seemed trembling
with emotion.
These were followed by other songs, enough to exhibit the vocal
charms and operatic talent of this wonderful cantatrice, in all
their strength and compass. And we feel it due to say (though
without pretending to rigid musical criticism,) while the voice of
the Swan is equal to the loftiest pitch of the soaring lark, and
the lowest reach of bass tone, there seems no lack of sweetness and
distinctness--so often wanting or underrated in musical
entertainments.
A word as to the _personnel_ of the "Swan." She is robust and
fleshy, with a full and healthy chest; but with very uncomely
features. She is intelligent, however, and unassuming--is free
without boldness--and kind and attentive to all who visit her. She
was born in Mississippi. Her father was an African, her mother a
Choctaw Indian woman, and she seems, both in features and
disposition, to show her compound origin. When quite a child she
fell into the hands of quite a wealthy Welsh lady, by whom she was
raised in Philadelphia--with whom she ate and slept for twenty-one
years, and who, dying, bequeathed her a handsome property, which is
yet contested at law. Her family name is Taylor, but in honour of
her mistress she takes the name of Greenfield.
We are told it is her purpose to sail for Europe sometime in June
or July next, to avail herself of the best instruction which can be
obtained in cultivating her extraordinary vocal gifts.
The statement that Miss Greenfield is the daughter of a man in
Buffalo, who "formerly lived in Mississippi, and served as
hostler," and that "Miss G. came north and married a fellow yclept
Green," is all false.--If any person should have been led to
believe otherwise, the following letters will be sufficient to
undeceive them:
N. W. corner of Mulberry and Tenth Street, Philadelphia,
11th month 5th, 1851.
I have known Elizabeth Greenfield for more than fifteen years,
during most of which time, she resided near to me with a worthy and
benevolent friend of mine, the late Elizabeth Greenfield; through
whose liberality she was kindly supported and educated.
In the course of a professional attendance of some years on
Elizabeth's family, I had reason to be convinced that she continued
to stand well in the estimation of her aged friend. To the best of
my information, her conduct and deportment since, have been such as
to merit the esteem of those who know her in this city.
Signed,