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.
The Black Swan’s second concert at the Melodeon, last evening, was attended by a large and fashionable audience. Miss Greenfield was evidently in better voice than on the night of her first concert, and, it was generally admitted, sung better. She was enthusiastically encored several times, and enthusiastically applauded in every piece. Professor Becht and his pupil, Master Emile Kook, executed several pieces upon the piano in excellent taste.
Daily Morning News, Lowell, February 7th, 1852.
We see by the Boston papers that this wonderful vocalist had the best house of the season at the Melodeon, on Thursday evening. In fact, so crowded was the hall, that a large number of ladies could not gain admission on account of the immense number of people all eager to see and hear the Swan. She had a perfect triumph over all prejudices. Master Kook made his debut, and played the piano forte with a skill that would have done credit to one of the old masters, calling down thunders of applause. Professor Becht has no rival on the Piano.