The Black Swan at Home and Abroad: or, A Biographical Sketch of Miss Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, the American Vocalist — John Shaqi
The Black Swan at Home and Abroad: or, A Biographical Sketch of Miss Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, the American VocalistAnonymous
General
The Black Swan at Home and Abroad: or, A Biographical Sketch of Miss Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, the American Vocalist
Anonymous
Greenfield, Elizabeth Taylor, approximately 1819-1876
Miss Greenfield has arrived in the city, and will give her first concert
in Boston, at the Melodeon, on Tuesday evening next. She gave to a small
circle of musical people a specimen of the qualities of her voice
yesterday afternoon, at the room of Mr. Chickering. Her voice has great
power and compass, extending over four and a half octaves, from lower G
in bass to C octave in alt. She is self-taught, and has won quite a
reputation at the west.
Boston Herald, Jan. 30, 1852.
The 'Black Swan.' This new representative of the 'Divine Art,' arrived
in town yesterday, and took quarters at the Revere House. A gentleman of
good musical taste, who was yesterday admitted to a private rehearsal,
assures us that Miss Greenfield possesses a remarkable voice. It is
exceedingly musical and sweet. Its range and compass are truly
astonishing. She played the piano with great skill, and accompanied
herself. She will make her first appearance before a Boston audience on
Tuesday evening next, at the Melodeon.
The Black Swan sings some of the choicest operatic gems: "Scenes that
are Brightest," from the opera of Maritana, "Do not Mingle," from the
opera of "La Somnambula," &c. There is not a little curiosity to hear
this extraordinary woman.
Evening Transcript, Boston, Feb. 4, 1852.
Miss Greenfield, "The Black Swan," made her debut before a Boston
audience last evening at the Melodeon. In consequence of the price of
the tickets being put at a dollar, the house was not over two thirds
full. She was well received, and most vociferously applauded and encored
in every piece. She sings with great ease, and apparently without any
effort. Her pronunciation is very correct, and her intonation excellent.
Her voice has a wonderful compass, and in many notes remarkably sweet in
tone. Her voice needs equalizing, which can be done, when put under the
tuition of a competent instructor. Her second concert will be given on
Thursday evening, when the tickets will be put at 50 cents. At her next
concert she will be assisted by Professor Becht, of New York, and the
great juvenile pianist, Master Kook, ten years of age, who has no
superior in the country, of his years.
Boston Evening Traveller, February 5th, 1852.
The Black Swan's first Concert at the Melodeon.--The novelty of the
circumstances, and the curiosity which had been excited by the accounts
which had reached us of this coloured woman's remarkable vocal powers,
drew together a much larger audience than could ordinarily have been
collected at the high price at which the tickets were sold. As many as
five hundred, probably, were present; and influenced as they were by
various expectations and motives, it would be difficult to characterize
the marks of applause which were bestowed upon the performer. In respect
to the "Swan's" claims as a vocalist, we do not deem it worth while to
go into any criticism.
Boston Daily Times and Bay State Democrat, February 6th, 1852.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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