Burlington, June 4, 1852.
The concert at Concert Hall, last evening, delighted one of the largest and most select audiences ever assembled in Burlington. Miss Greenfield was received with much enthusiasm. It was, altogether, the best concert ever given in this place. We learn that to-night is positively her last in Burlington.
Greenfield, June 21, 1852.
Altogether the most artistic performance in the sphere of music, we recollect ever having attended in this town, was given on Thursday evening by Miss Elizabeth Greenfield, alias the “Black Swan.” Her voice possesses wonderful compass, is very rich, and is skilfully trained. She is a most surprising vocalist, considered in whatever respect. The violin performance, by Mr. Schmittroth, brought out tones more astonishing than people in general supposed pine, catgut and rosin capable of producing.
The whole entertainment was in the highest degree respectable, and worthy of any audience in the world.
Brattleboro, Vt., June 23, 1852.
The “Black Swan,” or Miss Elizabeth Greenfield, sang in Mr. Fisk’s beautiful new Hall on Wednesday evening last, to a large and intelligent audience.
We had seen frequent notices in our exchanges, and were already prepossessed in favour of the abilities and life purposes of our sable sister; but after all we must say that our expectations of her success are greater than before we had heard her sing, and conversed with her in her own private room. She is not pretty, but plain for a coloured woman; still she is gifted with a beauty of soul which makes her countenance agreeable in conversation; and in singing, especially when her social nature is called into activity, there is a grace and beauty in her manner which soon make those unaccustomed to her race forget all but the melody. We learned from her that she was trained by an old lady belonging to the society of Friends. Her mistress, being a Friend, Elizabeth took lessons in music privately. With only her wages to aid her, she was rapidly acquiring knowledge in music in imitation of her mistress’ young relatives, when some one maliciously informed her mistress, with the expectation of seeing an injunction laid upon her self-culture. The old lady sent for Elizabeth, who came trembling into her presence, expecting to be reprimanded for her pursuit of an art forbidden by the Friends’ discipline. “Elizabeth,” said the old lady, “is it true that thee is learning music, and can play upon the guitar?” “It is true,” she replied. “Go, bring thy guitar and let me hear thee sing.” Elizabeth did so, and when she had concluded her song was astonished to hear her mistress say, “Elizabeth, whatever thee wants, thee shall have.” From that time her mistress was the patroness of her earnest efforts for skill and knowledge in musical science.
Nature has done more for Miss Greenfield, than any musical prodigy we have met, and art has marred her execution less.
From New England Miss Greenfield returned to Buffalo to enjoy a season of rest and refreshment.