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
London Advertiser, of June 16th, contained the following comments. "A
concert was given at Exeter Hall last evening by Miss Greenfield, the
American vocalist, better known in this country under the sobriquet of
the 'Black Swan.' Apart from the natural gifts with which this lady is
endowed, the great musical skill which she has acquired both as a singer
and an instrumentalist, are convincing arguments against the assertion
so often made, that the negro race are incapable of intellectual culture
of a high standard. Miss Greenfield, by birth as well as appearance, is
decidedly a negress, her father having been a full African, and her
mother of mixed extraction. She herself was born and brought up a slave
in the United States, although freed at an early age. On the death of
her mistress her vocal abilities, which were already known in a limited
circle, were, by the judicious assistance of some kind-hearted friends,
brought into public notice; and she was enabled to receive the necessary
training and instruction. She speedily became a proficient in the art of
vocalization; and, after giving a series of concerts in the United
States, she felt sufficient confidence in her abilities to resolve on
standing the test of an English audience. Her voice is a contralto, of
great clearness and mellow tone in the upper register, and full,
resonant, and powerful in the lower, though slightly masculine in its
_timbre_. It is peculiarly effective in ballad songs of the pathetic
cast, several of which Miss Greenfield sang last night in a very
expressive manner. She was encored in two, "The Cradle Song," a simple
melody by Wallace, and "Home, Sweet Home," which she gave in an
exceedingly pleasing manner. The programme of the concert was
bountifully drawn up; for, in addition to the attractions of the Black
Swan, there was a host of first-rate artists. Herr Brandt, a German
artist, with a remarkably sweet voice, sang Professor Longfellow's
'Slave's Dream,' set to very beautiful music by Hatton, in a way that
elicited warm applause. Miss Rosina Bentley played a fantasia by Lutz,
very brilliantly, and afterwards assisted by Miss Kate Loder, who,
however, must now be known as Mrs. Henry Thompson, in a grand duet for
two piano-fortes, by Osborne. M. Valadares executed a curious Indian
air, "Hilli Milli Puniah," on the violin, and Mr. Henry Distin a solo on
the sax tuba. The band was admirable, and performed a couple of
overtures in the best manner. Altogether, the concert, which we
understand was made under the distinguished patronage of the Duchess of
Sutherland, was highly successful, and went off to the perfect
gratification of a numerous and fashionable audience."
_Words of Miss Greenfield's Grand Concert._
PART I.
OVERTURE--IN C MINOR.--"PEACE AND WAR."--DUGGAN.
SONG--"I ARISE FROM DREAMS OF THEE."--ALFRED MELLON.
MISS URSULA BARCLAY.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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