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
Much has been said and written of this personage since she was
introduced to the public as a musical prodigy. All sorts of surmises and
conjectures have been indulged in, respecting the claim put forth of her
merit, and generally the impression seemed to prevail that the novelty
of "colour" and idle curiosity, accounted more for the excitement
raised, than her musical powers. Well, she has visited our place, and
given our citizens an opportunity of judging for themselves. We are
ignorant of music, and unqualified to criticise, but a large audience
were in attendance at Ringueberg Hall last evening--among those present
were our musical amateurs--and we heard but one expression in regard to
the new vocalist, and that was, wonder and astonishment at the
extraordinary power and compass of her voice, and the ease with which
she passed from the highest to the lowest notes seemed without an
effort. Her first notes of "Where are now the hopes?" startled the whole
audience, and the interchange of glances succeeded by thunders of
applause, at the end of the first verse, showed that her success was
complete. She was loudly encored, and in response sung the barytone,
"When stars are in the quiet sky," which took down the whole house.
We have neither time nor space to follow her through her different
pieces. Suffice it to say, that there never was a concert given in this
town, which appeared to give more general satisfaction, and every person
we met on leaving the hall, expressed their entire approbation of her
performance. No higher compliment could be paid to the "Swan," than the
enthusiastic applause which successfully greeted her appearance, and the
encore which followed her several pieces.
There was a very general expression among the audience, that the sable
vocalist should give another concert, and, at the earnest solicitation
of several of our citizens, Col. Wood, her gentlemanly manager, has
consented to give another entertainment to-morrow evening, when the
"Black Swan" will give a new programme, consisting of some of Jenny
Lind's most popular songs.
The concert on Thursday evening, was what in other cases would have been
called a triumph. The house was full--the audience a fashionable
one--the applause decided, and the impression made by the singer highly
favourable.
We can safely say that Miss Greenfield possesses a voice of remarkable
qualities; singular for its power, softness and depth. Of all this she
gave ample evidence in the twelve or more pieces she sang--a feat in
itself giving evidence of great vocal resources. There is a lack of
training perceptible, although the Swan sings with great correctness,
and evident close regard of the notes upon the music sheet. No one can
hear her without acknowledging her talents--if that is the right
expression--but what is to come of this we are not advised. A couple of
years' severe training is indispensable, before she can safely be put
before the public on a sure footing.
Again:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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