"A large assemblage of fashionable and distinguished personages assembled by invitation at Stafford House to hear and decide upon the merits of a phenomenon in the musical world,—Miss Elizabeth Greenfield, better known in America as the 'Black Swan;' under which sobriquet she is also about to be presented to the British public. This lady is said to possess a voice embracing the extraordinary compass of nearly three octaves; and her performances on this occasion elicited the unmistakable evidence of gratification."
"The London Times" said,—
"Miss Greenfield sings 'I know that my Redeemer liveth' with as much pathos, power, and effect as does the 'Swedish Nightingale,' Jenny Lind."
Again: "The London Observer" remarks,—
"Her voice was at once declared to be one of extraordinary compass. Both her high and low notes were heard with wonder by the assembled amateurs, and her ear was pronounced to be excellent."
"The London Advertiser" of June 16 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, is a convincing argument against the assertion so often made, that the negro race is incapable of intellectual culture of a high standard.... 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 afterward, 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."
"In July she gave two grand concerts in the Town Hall in Brighton, under the patronage of her Grace the Duchess of Sutherland, her Grace the Duchess of Norfolk, her Grace the Duchess of Beaufort, her Grace the Duchess of Argyle, the Most Noble the Marchioness of Ailesbury, the Most Noble the Marchioness of Kildare, the Most Noble the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury, the Earl of Carlisle, the Countess of Jersey, the Countess of Granville, the Countess of Wilton, the Viscountess Palmerston, the Lady Constance Grosvenor, and Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe.