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
_Rochester, Corinthian Hall_.
This astonishing songstress has made her appearance in Rochester, and
will sing this evening in Corinthian Hall, the most commodious building
in western New York. She ought to have as large a house, and as
brilliant, as any that thronged to hear the Swedish Nightingale. We
heard the "Black Swan" more than two years ago, in Philadelphia and New
York, in rooms little adapted to give effect to her performances; but we
were, even then, struck with the astonishing compass, power, and
clearness of her voice. We understand that since that time, she has
applied herself with praiseworthy perseverance and assiduity to the
cultivation of her extraordinary powers, and has attained great
proficiency in the art, which is evidently the bent of her genius. By
her own energy, and unassisted, she has made herself mistress of the
harp, guitar, and piano. We are informed that the proceeds of the
entertainment this evening, are to be wholly appropriated to the
completion of her musical education in Paris, under the world-famed
Garcia. We predict for Miss Greenfield a successful and brilliant
future.
The _Rochester American_ writes:--
Corinthian Hall contained a large and fashionable audience on the
occasion of the concert by this new candidate for popular favour, on
Thursday evening. We have never seen an audience more curiously
expectant than this was, for the _début_ of this new vocalist. Hardly
had her first note fallen upon their ears, however, before their wonder
and astonishment were manifest in an interchange of glances and words of
approval, and the hearty applause that responded to the first verse she
sung, was good evidence of the satisfaction she afforded. The aria "Oh
Native Scenes," was loudly encored, and in response she gave the pretty
ballad "When Stars are in the Quiet Sky."
The "Salut a la France" was one of her most difficult pieces, but was
loudly encored, and in response, she astonished the audience, and called
down thunders of applause with the bass of "Old Hundred," and the
barytone of "When Stars, &c."
The gem of the evening, however, was, "Like the Gloom of Night
Retiring." It was a bold attempt for the Black Swan to sing "Do Not
Mingle," after Jenny Lind and Parodi; but she succeeded in rendering its
difficult passages with considerable taste, and a good degree of
justice. It is in pieces of this kind that her untaught powers come into
direct competition with the masterly training and careful cultivation of
the _artistes_ above named, and the difference is perceptible. But the
voice is there, and with that she is destined, if skilfully taught, to
achieve a fame that will be world-wide.
Lockport.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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