Phil. Nov. 18, 1851.
No. 410 West Walnut Street.
The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.
The Black Swan is to be in Cleveland on the 26th. The _Plain Dealer_
man, says an exchange, is so excited about it that he is turning all
sorts of _colours_. "O. S. Journal." Speaking of colours, we own up to
something of a mixture, having been born GRAY, but the "True Democrat"
says that _coloured_ people are a leetle ahead of white people.
Plain Dealer, March 26, 1852.
The advent of the Black Swan was the signal for prolonged applause. She
is a woman of graceful stature, with a face of intelligence and
gentleness, modest and tasteful in her dress, and an easy carriage. She
looks confidently to the audience, as if trusting to their unbiassed
judgment. Her first song, "Sweetly o'er my Senses Stealing," gives a
fair idea of her flexibility and tone. They are truly astonishing. She
glides from note to note with the utmost ease; as trippingly as most of
our _prima donnas_. But compass of voice, the most desirable quality in
vocal music, is the distinctive feature of her style. Here she is fully
at home--as evinced in that charming ballad where she accompanied
herself on the piano. Her voice here was masculine and rich--and at the
same time soft--devoid of that burr with which most _bona fide_ male
voices are encumbered. She sang in six pieces, was applauded in each,
and thrice triumphantly _encored_. We heard but one opinion of the
entertainment--that of unqualified delight.
Milwaukie Daily Sentinel, April 19, 1852.
The Telegraph and press, for some time past, have been busy in
chronicling the musical triumphs of the Black Swan, and in noting her
progress Westward. Last week she sang to crowded and delighted
audiences, in Detroit, Chicago, Kenosha, and Racine. To-night she sings
at Gardner's Hall, in this city. She comes here heralded by a reputation
which will of itself draw a full house. That those who attend will enjoy
the entertainment, will be readily inferred from the following notice in
Chicago, copied from the Journal of that city:
"To say they were gratified is not enough. If expression of countenance
and repeated applause, more than we ever witnessed upon a similar
occasion in this city, mean anything, they were surprised and delighted.
Not, perhaps, with the artistic skill she manifested, but the wonderful
power, sweetness, and compass of her voice. It was like a flute, a
clarion, an organ, and yet it was more--a splendid human voice.
"Her style is simple and unaffected. She is guiltless of all the
trickery of the professed and trained Vocalist; but sings as she feels
it; as she thinks it should be sung; and though not skilled in the
quibbles and nomenclature of "the art divine," we are satisfied she
thinks right. With a complexion not Circassian, and a figure not
altogether a model for sculptors, she has drawn together here an
audience--has charmed them, and all with the magic of a voice."
Milwaukie Sentinel, April, 1852.
What shall we say? That we were delighted and surprised? All who were
present know that, from their own feelings. We can only say, that we
have never heard a voice like hers,--one that, with such ease, and with
such absence of all effort, could range from the highest to the lowest
notes. After singing the first song, she was called back, when she sat
down to the piano, and commenced, "When Stars are in the Quiet Sky," we
almost imagined, at first, that Geo. Baker, with his heavy bass voice,
had broken forth somewhere in the vicinity. But what was our surprise to
discover that those low, yet heavy and powerful notes, proceeded from
the same person who just before had been singing with the highest,
clearest notes of a woman. Thus it was throughout. It seemed as though
to sing was as natural to her as to the bird; and she poured forth
melody and music without being obliged to use those desperate and
convulsive efforts that some do. She was received with the most
rapturous applause, which in some of the songs broke forth at the end of
every verse. This was especially the case when she sang "If a Body meet
a Body," &c., when it seemed as though they could not sufficiently
testify their pleasure.
Professor Becht is a most correct and finished player on the piano; and
we must say, that Mr. Schmittroth made more music than we ever heard
before in scientific fiddling.
Rochester, May 6, 1852.
All the lovers of music in Rochester will be glad to learn that Miss
Greenfield intends to give a concert in Corinthian Hall on Monday next.
This gifted songstress has been having a series of very successful
concerts in Ohio, and other States, and we predict for her a large
audience on Monday. The magnificent quality of her voice, its great
power, flexibility, and compass; her self-taught genius, energy, and
perseverance, combine to render Miss Greenfield an object of uncommon
interest to musicians.
We have been spell-bound by the ravishing tones of Patti, Sontag,
Malibran, and Grisi; we have heard the wondrous warblings of "_the
Nightingale_;" and we have listened with delight to the sweet melodies
of the fair daughter of Erin; but we hesitate not to assert that, with
one year's tuition from the world-famed Emanuel Garcia, Miss Greenfield
would not only compare favourably with any of the distinguished artists
above named, but incomparably excel them all.
We hoped, ere this, to hear of Miss Greenfield proceeding to England.
Queen Victoria is a thorough judge of music, and a kind and generous
patron to musicians,--Miss Greenfield's complexion would not bar her
entrance to Buckingham Palace, nor would it shock the nerves of the most
delicate lady of the court there. The _Black Swan should sail to
Europe_.
The Globe, Toronto, May 12-15th, 1852.
Any one who went to the concert of Miss Greenfield on Thursday last,
expecting to find that he had been deceived by the puffs of the American
newspapers, must have found himself most agreeably disappointed.
Mr. Becht, the pianist of the party, commenced the evening with a very
brilliant performance, which showed that his talents, if not of the very
first rank, nearly approached to that point. He has a very considerable
share of taste, but his _forte_ passages were the finest, and were
warmly applauded. After he had retired there was a general hush of
expectation to see the entrance of the vocalist of the evening, and
presently there appeared a lady of a decidedly dark colour, rather
inclined to an _embonpoint_, and with African formation of face. She
advanced calmly to the front of the platform, and curtised very
gracefully to the audience. There was a moment of pause, and the
assembly anxiously listened for the first notes. They were quite
sufficient. The amazing power of the voice, the flexibility and the ease
of execution took the hearers by surprise, and the singer was hardly
allowed to finish the verse ere she was greeted with the most
enthusiastic plaudits, which continued for some time. The higher
passages of the air were given with clearness and fulness, indicating a
soprano voice of great power. The song was encored, and Miss Greenfield
came back, took her seat at the piano, and began, to the astonishment of
the audience, a different air in a deep and very clear bass or barytone
voice, which she maintained throughout, without any very great
appearance of effort or without any breaking! She can, in fact, go as
low as Lablache, and as high as Jenny Lind, a power of voice perfectly
astonishing. It is said she can strike thirty-one full clear notes, and
we could readily believe it. After the surprise had subsided, there was
time to find out the errors and defects. It must be confessed that Miss
Greenfield has a very heedless way of throwing her beautiful notes
about, has far from perfect command over them, and wants the knowledge
of ornamental points, which can only be given by instruction from the
best masters. There were plenty evidences that it was not from lack of
ability to understand what was required, that these defects existed. The
introduction of the deeper voice in the treble songs was a singularity,
but was also an unpleasing offence against the ear.
Miss Greenfield is said to have great facility in acquiring the
knowledge of music, and will certainly under proper tuition become
distinguished.
The company to-night perform in Hamilton. We hope on their return we may
have another opportunity of listening to Miss Greenfield's wonderful
strains, and Messrs. Becht and Schmittroth's excellent instrumentalization.
Auburn, New York, May 21st, 1852.
This evening the citizens of Auburn are to have the pleasure of
witnessing the vocal powers of the Black Swan. It is not a year since
this candidate for public patronage made her appearance in the concert
room, but yet she has won a reputation that everywhere secures her
crowded houses. Her recent tour in the western States was eminently
successful, and her concerts were referred to in the papers, as being
equal in interest to those given by the most celebrated vocalists of the
day. The entertainment this evening will be given at Markham Hall.
Auburn, May 22d, 1852.
We have no hesitation in saying that, but for the prejudice which exists
against _caste_, she would attain great eminence. We trust she will
succeed. Mr. Schmittroth, the violinist, displays great musical capacity
and taste; but we are surprised that so perfect an artist should trust
his success to so imperfect an instrument. Mr. Becht, the pianist, is a
man of talent, and has great command of his instrument.
Syracuse, May 24th, 1852.
Notwithstanding the many distinguished, and justly celebrated
songstresses now in our country, the Black Swan continues to be heard
with great favour, by the musical portion of the community.
Utica, May 26th, 1852.
Those who failed to hear this extraordinary vocalist on her previous
visit to Utica, will not fail to gratify their curiosity at this
time.--Miss Greenfield has now had the advantage of several months'
training and practice, and of appearing at concerts in most of the
principal northern cities. Her natural endowments surpass any thing in
the way of human voice we ever heard, and her singing is pleasing as
well as astonishing. She is now accompanied by Becht, the pianist, and
Schmittroth, the violinist, artists, as we hear, of talent and merit
from the city of New York, and occupying the first position in their
profession.
Watertown, May 28th, 1852.
This celebrated Cantatrice, on her return from a very successful tour in
the West, gives one concert in this city, in Malcolm Hall, this evening.
The Swan has sung in our city on a previous occasion, and her merits are
pretty generally known--though we are assured that she has made great
proficiency since that time. Malcolm Hall ought to be crowded this
evening.
Ogdensburg, June 2, 1852.
The "Swan's" second concert, which came off last evening, was quite as
largely attended as the first; and we noticed, particularly, that the
patronage of those who attended on the former evening was largely drawn
upon.
The same manifestations of delight at the performance of the several
_artists_, were apparent with the audience of last evening, and many who
had come to listen for the second time, were inspired with a more
accurate appreciation of the "Swan's" merits. The troupe proceed hence
to Burlington. She goes to Europe soon for the purpose of receiving
instruction from the best masters.
Burlington, June 4, 1852.
The concert at Concert Hall, last evening, delighted one of the largest
and most select audiences ever assembled in Burlington. Miss Greenfield
was received with much enthusiasm. It was, altogether, the best concert
ever given in this place. We learn that to-night is positively her last
in Burlington.
Greenfield, June 21, 1852.
Altogether the most artistic performance in the sphere of music, we
recollect ever having attended in this town, was given on Thursday
evening by Miss Elizabeth Greenfield, alias the "Black Swan." Her voice
possesses wonderful compass, is very rich, and is skilfully trained. She
is a most surprising vocalist, considered in whatever respect. The
violin performance, by Mr. Schmittroth, brought out tones more
astonishing than people in general supposed pine, catgut and rosin
capable of producing.
The whole entertainment was in the highest degree respectable, and
worthy of any audience in the world.
Brattleboro, Vt., June 23, 1852.
The "Black Swan," or Miss Elizabeth Greenfield, sang in Mr. Fisk's
beautiful new Hall on Wednesday evening last, to a large and intelligent
audience.
We had seen frequent notices in our exchanges, and were already
prepossessed in favour of the abilities and life purposes of our sable
sister; but after all we must say that our expectations of her success
are greater than before we had heard her sing, and conversed with her in
her own private room. She is not pretty, but plain for a coloured woman;
still she is gifted with a beauty of soul which makes her countenance
agreeable in conversation; and in singing, especially when her social
nature is called into activity, there is a grace and beauty in her
manner which soon make those unaccustomed to her race forget all but the
melody. We learned from her that she was trained by an old lady
belonging to the society of Friends. Her mistress, being a Friend,
Elizabeth took lessons in music privately. With only her wages to aid
her, she was rapidly acquiring knowledge in music in imitation of her
mistress' young relatives, when some one maliciously informed her
mistress, with the expectation of seeing an injunction laid upon her
self-culture. The old lady sent for Elizabeth, who came trembling into
her presence, expecting to be reprimanded for her pursuit of an art
forbidden by the Friends' discipline. "Elizabeth," said the old lady,
"is it true that thee is learning music, and can play upon the guitar?"
"It is true," she replied. "Go, bring thy guitar and let me hear thee
sing." Elizabeth did so, and when she had concluded her song was
astonished to hear her mistress say, "Elizabeth, whatever thee wants,
thee shall have." From that time her mistress was the patroness of her
earnest efforts for skill and knowledge in musical science.
Nature has done more for Miss Greenfield, than any musical prodigy we
have met, and art has marred her execution less.
From New England Miss Greenfield returned to Buffalo to enjoy a season
of rest and refreshment.
She remained here several months, during which time she received two
definite proposals to accept an engagement. One to travel for three
months in the United States,--the other, which she accepted, to proceed
directly to Europe.
Cleveland, Dec. 16, 1852.
MISS GREENFIELD:--Dear Madam,--I take the liberty to address a few
lines to you on the subject of giving concerts. I have understood
you to have no engagement at present, and that you would be glad to
make an engagement with a person competent to manage. I have had
considerable experience in the business, and feel myself competent
to take the management of business of this nature. I have travelled
with Jenny Lind during her engagement with P. T. Barnum. I have
also been connected with Mr. Barnum for several years; and if you
feel disposed to engage with me I would refer you to Mr. Barnum. He
is now at his residence in Bridgeport, Conn.
I should propose to travel through such portions of the States as
you have not visited, and should feel disposed to commence in New
York. Mr. Barnum is a relation of mine, and I could give a series
of concerts in New York in his name; at least I feel quite
confident I could do so. I am a man of family, and am living in
this city. I am acquainted with Major Dunn, Col. Wood, and slightly
with Mr. Ladd, formerly of your troupe.
Please let me hear from you by return of mail, and oblige,
Yours,