Chapter I: Preface

The welcome which was given to the Memoir of Jenny Lind in the original edition of two volumes has encouraged us to offer it in a smaller and less expensive form. In its first form it was essential that it should aim at completeness and thoroughness of treatment. It had to omit nothing that might legitimately be asked for, by those to whom her memory was dear in Sweden, and in Germany, no less than in England. It had to satisfy the attention and the interest of musical experts, to whom her career was a record of artistic perfection. To do this, it could not but be lengthy, detailed, and somewhat expensive. But, after all this has been done, there remains a larger English public, to whom she had become a name rather than a positive memory; who had never heard her sing: but yet to whom her life could not but appeal with the irresistible force that belongs to genius whenever it is allied with simplicity, candour, purity, and courage. To them, her story would speak home, if only they had the opportunity of reading it.

We have, therefore, ventured on the task of reducing the memoir to one volume, by vigorous curtailments, and by omission of much technical matter.[1] We trust that, in this reduced form, it may still convey the impression of a character which had a touch of unique nobility. Nothing has been added, except that, in the chapter entitled “Last Words,” an attempt has been made to fill up the outline of Madame Goldschmidt’s art-life after her marriage, that it may be felt to have the reality, and the value, which undoubtedly belonged to it in fact.

H. S. HOLLAND.
W. S. ROCKSTRO.

1893.

CONTENTS.

BOOK I.—ANTICIPATION.

CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION _page_ 1

CHAPTER II.
CHILDHOOD.
Birth of Jenny Lind—Her parents—The child entrusted to Carl
Ferndal at Sollentuna—Her love of the country—Return to
Stockholm—Fru Tengmark, her grandmother—First discovery of
her musical gifts—The Fanfare—Jenny at the Widows’ Home—
Mdlle. Lundberg hears her sing—Introduction to Herr
Croelius—Jenny transferred to the School of the Royal
Theatre _page_ 7

CHAPTER III.
PUPILAGE.
The Royal Theatre, Stockholm—Jenny’s life at school—She is
boarded with her mother—Contract with the Directors—The
training of an _Aktris-Elev_—Jenny’s general education—
Difficulties with her mother—Friendship with Mina Fundin—
She takes refuge with Mdlle. Bayard—Her letter to Fru
Fundin _page_ 15

CHAPTER IV.
CAREER.
Jenny’s dramatic power—Her first appearance as “Angela” in
_The Polish Mine_—She acts “Johanna” in _Testamentet_—
Criticism in the _Heimdall_—Extract from the play—“Otto”
in _Johanna de Montfaucon_—“Janette” in the _Pasha of
Suresne_—“Louise” in the _Students of Småland_, etc.—_The
Daily Allehanda_ protests against its performance—Other
_rôles_—She sings at concerts—Herr Berg and his pupil—
Lindblad’s Opera _Frondörerne_—Sacchini’s _Œdipus in
Athens_—She receives a salary from the R. Theatre—Her
appearances in 1837—Hard work—Rise of Meyerbeer—_Robert de
Normandie_—Jenny Lind’s success _page_ 24

CHAPTER V.
DISCOVERY.
The moment of inspiration—“Agatha”—“Julia”—Rise in salary—
“Alice” in _Roberto_—Upsala—Escort home and Students’
song—Country life—Popular enthusiasm—Fru Lind—Louise
Johansson—Jenny Lind’s removal to Herr Lindblad’s—Operatic
successes—Presentation of plate—The judgment of Sweden _page_ 35

CHAPTER VI.
CHARACTER.
Soirée at Stockholm—Moral independence—“A unique
apparition”—Personal appearance of Jenny Lind—A
transparent countenance—A typical Swede—Undertone of
melancholy—Friendship—Influence of Lindblad—Geijer’s songs _page_ 46

CHAPTER VII.
PILGRIMAGE.
Jenny Lind appointed Court Singer—Unsatisfied longings—Offer
from the Royal Theatre—Refusal—Parisian scheme—Provincial
tour accompanied by her father—Charity—Stockholm—“Lucia”—
“Alice”—“Norma”—Overstrain—Salary—Farewell _page_ 58

BOOK II.—ASPIRATION.

CHAPTER I.
IN PARIS, 1841–42.
On the way—Arrival in Paris—First introduction—Nervousness—
Garcia’s first impressions—Jenny Lind’s anguish—Rest—
Linguistic studies—Street cries—End of probation—Garcia’s
lessons—Scales and exercises—What to unlearn—The worst
over—Musical intuition _page_ 65

CHAPTER II.
THE STUDENT.
Home at Mdlle. du Puget’s—Home thoughts—Mdlle. Nissen’s
influence—Madame Persiani—Rachel—Dramatic inspiration—
Despondency—A merciful escape _page_ 73

CHAPTER III.
WITHIN SIGHT OF THE GOAL.
Recovery of voice with enhanced powers—The Artist complete—
Dislike to Parisian artist-life—Reasons for visit to Paris
and return to Stockholm—Longings for home _page_ 80

CHAPTER IV.
THE RETURN.
Offers from Stockholm—Engagement concluded—Lindblad’s
opinion—Interview with Meyerbeer—Private trial at the
Grand Opera—Meyerbeer’s judgment—M. Pillet, Director of
the Grand Opera—The second phase ended _page_ 85

BOOK III.—ACHIEVEMENT.
HOME: AND AFTER?
The Continent passive—Residence at Stockholm—Invitation to
Louise Johansson—Re-appearance as “Norma”—The _messa di
voce_—Stockholm enraptured—New characters—Swedish laws as
to unmarried women—Jenny Lind and her parents—Appointment
of an official guardian—Description of Herr H. M. Munthe—
“The mirror of a noble soul”—National Jubilee—A May-day in
Wärend—The poet Topelius—J. A. Josephson—Success at
Copenhagen—Touching anecdote—New _rôles_—Gluck’s _Armida_—
Opinion of Andersen’s Tales—Proposals from Meyerbeer _page_ 91

BOOK IV.—MASTERY.

CHAPTER I.
IN DRESDEN.
Study of German—Josephson’s welcome—A soirée at Dresden—
Renewed offer at Stockholm—Jenny Lind’s refusal—A
momentous journey _page_ 111

CHAPTER II.
AT THE COURT OF BERLIN.
Predecessors of Jenny Lind—Suspense—Meyerbeer’s attentions—
Courtesy of the Royal Family—Success in Society—Impression
on Lady Westmorland—Transfiguration—Indifference to dress—
First meeting with Mendelssohn _page_ 115

CHAPTER III.
THE DÉBUT AT THE NEW OPERA-HOUSE.
_Das Feldlager in Schlesien_—Fräulein Tuczec—“Vielka”—
“Norma”—Success—Contrasts—Rellstab’s critique—Visit from
Herr Josephson—A Swedish Christmas Eve _page_ 121

CHAPTER IV.
‘DAS FELDLAGER IN SCHLESIEN.’
German studies resumed—Rapid progress—Meyerbeer enchanted—
The public astonished—The critic’s summary—Invitation to
London—At Tieck’s—Serenade and presentation _page_ 129

CHAPTER V.
THE BUNN CONTRACT.
Mr. Bunn’s journey to Berlin—Hears Jenny Lind—Proposals—The
Ambassador’s Box at the Opera—Contract signed—Terms _page_ 134

CHAPTER VI.
HOMAGE TO WEBER.
Weber’s death—His burial—Jenny Lind’s interpretation of
“Euryanthe”—Critique—The apparition of Emma—_La
Sonnambula_—Critique—Sudden indisposition—Letter from
Meyerbeer—Letter to Mr. Bunn—Last appearance—_Norma_—
Critique—_Soirée_ by the brothers Ganz—Court Concerts—
Other Concerts—Farewell—Swedish songs—At Professor
Wichmann’s—Unrest _page_ 138

CHAPTER VII.
AT HOME ONCE MORE.
The homeward journey—Guest performances at Hamburg—Joy of
return—Delight of her people—A welcome—Eighteen
performances—_Die Tochter des Regiments_ for soldiers—A
concert—Country life—Summons to the Court of Prussia _page_ 148

CHAPTER VIII.
IN PRESENCE OF THE QUEEN.
Her Majesty’s reception by the King and Queen of Prussia—
Inauguration of the statue of Beethoven at Bonn—Extract
from Herr Brockhaus’ diary—A sorrow—Jenny Lind sings at
the State Concerts—Mrs. Grote’s account—Meeting with Mr.
and Mrs. Grote at Frankfort—Mrs. Grote offers to intercede
with Mr. Bunn—Jenny’s wish to retire and her reasons—A
London journalist’s opinion of Jenny Lind’s personal
appearance and voice—Proposals for Vienna _page_ 153

CHAPTER IX.
WITH THE DANES.
For Charity—Letter to Madame Birch-Pfeiffer—Impressions of
Copenhagen—The Mind-World of the North—Hans Andersen’s
Verdict—The Bunn Contract _page_ 160

CHAPTER X.
THE RETURN TO BERLIN.
True friends—A brilliant season—“Donna Anna”—_Der
Freischütz_—First production—The _Berlinische Zeitung_
upon Jenny Lind’s impersonation of “Agathe”—The Opera of
Nature—Jenny Lind’s devotion to Art—Self-depreciation—
Artistic position reviewed by Jenny Lind in letter to
Madame Erikson—Desire for retirement _page_ 168

CHAPTER XI.
AT THE GEWANDHAUS.
Letter to Herr Josephson—Jenny Lind’s opinion of
Mendelssohn—Reflex action—The two great Artists at
Leipzig—Great popular excitement—Free list suspended—
Indignation of the Students of the Conservatorium—Rush for
tickets—Miss Dolby—Herr Heinrich Brockhaus’ diary—The
note-book of Herr Edouard Brockhaus—Serenade and
presentation—Mendelssohn returns thanks for Jenny Lind _page_ 176

CHAPTER XII.
‘DIE VESTALIN’ AND ‘DIE HUGENOTTEN.’
“Julia” in _Die Vestalin_—Rellstab’s glowing panegyric—Jenny
Lind’s unerring dramatic instinct—Hans Christian Andersen—
An _al fresco_ toilette—An enthusiastic admirer—Andersen
and Jenny Lind at Weimar—Visit to the Fürstengruft—Verses
by Rollet—Visit to the Mendelssohn family at Leipzig—
Letter from Jenny to Andersen—Meyerbeer’s punctilious
regard for perfection of detail—_Personnel_ of the cast in
_Les Huguenots_—Rellstab’s criticism on Jenny Lind’s
“Valentine” _page_ 184

CHAPTER XIII.
AUF WIEDERSEHEN!
An unfortunate accident—General sympathy—Letter from
Mendelssohn—Three weeks’ imprisonment—Medallion portrait
modelled by Professor Wichmann—Portrait by Magnus—
Re-appearance of Jenny Lind in _Norma_—Benefit recorded by
Rellstab _page_ 192

BOOK V.—PROGRESS.

CHAPTER I.
THE DÉBUT AT VIENNA.
Visit to the Brockhaus family—Mendelssohn’s home-life—
Home-life of Professor Wichmann—Herr Ferdinand David—
Madame Schumann—Mendelssohn as an accompanist—In Vienna—
Madame Birch-Pfeiffer’s delineation of Jenny Lind’s
character—Mendelssohn’s letter to Herr Franz Hauser—The
“Theater an der Wien”—_Norma_—Timidity of Jenny Lind—Herr
Hauser’s reassurance—Success—Press notice of Jenny Lind’s
appearance—Strong party against Jenny Lind—Successful
appearance in _La Sonnambula_—Countless calls before the
curtain—Farther letters from Mendelssohn—Scheme for a
_libretto_ for Mendelssohn by Madame Birch-Pfeiffer—
Difficulties—_Die Ghibellinen in Pisa_—A wreath from the
Empress-Mother—An ovation—Accident to Jenny Lind’s
man-servant _page_ 198

CHAPTER II.
THE LOWER RHINE MUSICAL FESTIVAL.
Mendelssohn engaged on _Elijah_—Hauser’s estimate of Jenny
Lind—The Rhenish Festivals—_St. Paul_ in 1836—The present
festival at Aix-la-Chapelle—Consideration for an invalid
servant—Haydn’s _Creation_—The _Jenny Lind Fest_—
Mendelssohn’s and Geijer’s account of it—Departure from
Aachen—_Elijah_ on the eve of production _page_ 217

CHAPTER III.
THE CONTRACT WITH MR. LUMLEY.
The Drachenfels—Appearances at Hanover—Friendship with the
Royal Family—Second season at Hamburg—Overstrain—A short
holiday—_Elijah_ still unfinished—“Annotations-bok” of
Jenny Lind—Visit to Frankfort—Mrs. Grote and Mr. Lumley—
The Bunn Contract—English influences—Mr. Edward Lewin—Mr.
Lumley’s efforts—Mendelssohn’s introduction of Chorley—
Chorley’s impressions of Jenny Lind—Darmstadt—Lumley’s
trust in Mendelssohn’s influence—Mendelssohn’s letter in
support of Lumley’s endeavours—Engagement with Lumley
signed—Fresh endeavours to obtain a libretto—The Lumley
Contract _page_ 225

BOOK VI.—WORK AND FRIENDS.

CHAPTER I.
SOUTH GERMANY.
In Munich—The Kaulbachs—Letter from Mendelssohn objecting to
the Italian plan—_Concerts particuliers_—The
Birch-Pfeiffer _libretto_—“Susanna” in _Figaro_—Society at
the Kaulbachs—Stuttgart—Letter to Judge Munthe on London
engagement—Carlsruhe—Heidelberg—A Nuremberg medal—Return
to Munich—Haydn’s _Creation_ at Munich _page_ 237

CHAPTER II.
THE RETURN TO VIENNA.
Operas—_Marie, die Tochter des Regiments_—Portrait—The
_Wiener Zeitung_—The Schumanns—Madame Schumann’s Diary—
Concerts—Wilhelmina Neruda—Solicitude of Mendelssohn about
the Bunn Contract _page_ 247

CHAPTER III.
THE SHADOW.
Trio for voice and two flutes in _Vielka_—Fräulein Auguste
von Jaeger’s reminiscences—Radnitzky’s medal—Imperial
Kammersängerin—The Schumanns—Viardot Garcia—Mr. Bunn
adheres to the Contract—Terror of Jenny Lind—Reassurances
of Mendelssohn—Jenny Lind’s offer to Mr. Bunn—Last song at
Vienna _page_ 253

BOOK VII.—SUPREMACY.

CHAPTER I.
MANAGERIAL DIFFICULTIES.
The “_Vieille Garde_” of the Opera—Mr. Lumley in the field—
Lablache—Mr. Lumley’s only hope—Lablache’s estimate of
Jenny Lind—Mr. Lumley’s journey to Vienna—_Elijah_ at
Exeter Hall conducted by Mendelssohn—Mendelssohn’s Visit
to Mrs. Grote—Watching for Jenny Lind—Arrival—Appearance
in Mrs. Grote’s box at Her Majesty’s Theatre—Jenny Lind at
Mrs. Grote’s—Mendelssohn invites her to sing—Jenny Lind’s
nervousness—Second essay—Still diffident about public
appearance—Mrs. Grote’s home-thrust—Jenny Lind convinced—
Appoints rehearsal and chooses “Alice” in _Roberto_ _page_ 259

CHAPTER II.
THE TRIUMPH.
Public excitement—Crowded house—Entrance of Alice—The
_Terzetto_ and Mme. Goldschmidt’s interpretation of it—
Self-effacement—A true artist—The _Times’_ critique _page_ 265

CHAPTER III.
AT CLAIRVILLE.
Seclusion—A household word—A Broadside—Albert Smith’s
sketches—Jenny Lind’s accounts of her London _début_ and
description of her home—Mr. Bunn’s position—Her Italian
successful—Loving greeting to the Imperial city—Jenny
Lind’s large heart—Visiting the sick—Mr. Lumley saved _page_ 270

CHAPTER IV.
‘LA SONNAMBULA,’ ‘LA FIGLIA DEL REGGIMENTO.’
Royal attentions—The Duke of Wellington—A brilliant company—
Jenny Lind escapes—The new “Amina”—_Ah! non credea_—A
stage illusion—Jenny Lind’s thoroughness—Balfe’s tribute—
Lablache’s comment—New departure in _La Figlia_—Inspired
by Jenny Lind—The Priestess of Nature _page_ 277

CHAPTER V.
THE QUEEN’S STATE VISIT TO THE OPERA.
“Norma”—Attitude of the Press—A new reading—Opinions of the
Press—Mons. Roger—Opposing verdicts—Madame Grisi’s opinion _page_ 284

CHAPTER VI.
‘LA TEMPESTA,’ ‘I MASNADIERI.’
The _libretto_ an obstacle—Mendelssohn dissatisfied with
Scribe’s _Tempest_—Verdi—First performance of _I
Masnadieri_ based upon Schiller’s _Die Räuber_ _page_ 287

CHAPTER VII.
‘LE NOZZE DI FIGARO.’
Versatility of Mdlle. Lind’s genius—Mozart’s music—The
comedy of Beaumarchais—Rigorous exactitude of Mdlle. Lind—
An electrical effect—Musical example _page_ 290

CHAPTER VIII.
BY COMMAND OF THE QUEEN.
Royal concerts—Swedish songs—Lablache “_wie ein Vater_”—King
Leopold—Where the English heart was won—An inestimable
privilege _page_ 294

CHAPTER IX.
IN THE PROVINCES.
The summer of 1847—Burnham Beeches—Horse exercise—Wimbledon
Park—Mr. Lumley’s fête at Putney—Tea and supper at
Clairville—Jenny Lind entertaining—Moods—In the provinces—
English tour concluded—Mrs. Grote’s account—Mr. Edward
Lewin—At Norwich—Invitation to the Bishop’s Palace—
Choristers’ privileges—Letter from A. P. Stanley—An
independent witness—Departure from England—On board the
Packet—A last adieu _page_ 298

BOOK VIII.—THE GOAL.

CHAPTER I.
NEW TRIUMPHS AT BERLIN.
Farewell at the Opera-House—At Sans Souci—Royal
Kammersängerin—The King’s letter—Hamburg—Stockholm _page_ 308

CHAPTER II.
HOME AGAIN.
Love of England—Philanthropic plans—Jenny Lind’s published
letter in explanation of these plans—Voice in full
splendour—Operatic performances—Concerts—“Norma” her last
Swedish performance on the stage—The Bunn verdict—Home—
Sympathy between Jenny Lind and Mendelssohn—His death—Fund
for the Theatre School—Engagement to Herr Julius Günther—
Departure—Retrospect _page_ 313

CHAPTER III.
THE RE-APPEARANCE AT HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE.
_La Sonnambula_—Clairville—The fourth of May—Chopin at the
Opera—Chopin’s _Matinées_—Jenny Lind’s enthusiasm for
Chopin’s works—First appearance of Jenny Lind as “Lucia”—
Analysis and critique—Lablache and Jenny Lind in _L’Elisir
d’Amore_—Success of Jenny Lind in _I Puritani_—_Qui la
voce_—The _Cadenza_—Critique—Her Majesty and the Prince
Consort constant auditors—Mr. Lumley’s profits _page_ 324

CHAPTER IV.
THE CONCERT FOR THE BROMPTON HOSPITAL.
Retirement at Clairville—Herr Berg and family—Trusted
friends—Thalberg—Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Hall—The Brompton
Hospital—Mr. Otto Goldschmidt plays at the Concert in its
behalf—Her visit to the Hospital—The “Jenny Lind Gallery”—
Memorial salver—Panegyric by Mr. Disraeli—A long line of
noble deeds inaugurated _page_ 330

CHAPTER V.
‘ELIJAH.’
Letter to Frau von Kaulbach—“In memory of Mendelssohn”—
“_Tournée_ in the Provinces”—_La Figlia_ at Brighton—
Roger’s account of it—Benefit concert for her Orchestra—
Soirée to the band—Address and healths proposed by Jenny
Lind—Return to London—A worthy monument to Mendelssohn—The
Soprano part of _Elijah_ written for Jenny Lind’s voice—
Performance of _Elijah_ at Exeter Hall—_Times’_ critique—
The Mendelssohn Scholarships permanently established _page_ 336

CHAPTER VI.
FOR CHARITY.
Concerts at Manchester—Birmingham—Yule-Tide at Manchester—
Liverpool—Second visit to Norwich—The concerts—The Jenny
Lind Infirmary for Sick Children—Concert for Balfe’s
benefit—Worcester Royal Infirmary—£10,000 for charity—The
_Creation_ at Exeter Hall—_Times’_ critique—Liberality of
Jenny Lind _page_ 342

CHAPTER VII.
THE LAST OPERA.
Doubts and perplexities—“The Grand Classical Concerts”—A
mistake—Reparation—General emotion—Six performances—Her
Majesty and the Prince Consort—“For the last time”—A
delicate memorial _page_ 348

CHAPTER VIII.
THE “METHOD.”
A _soprano drammatico_—Compass—The various registers—Art of
blending—Signor Garcia’s success—Veiled tone of middle
notes—The F♯︎—The _pianissimo_—The natural voice—Diligent
practice—Voice not naturally flexible—The reward of
labour—The shake—The method of breathing—The _messa di
voce_—Articulation—Incessant practice—Two interesting
letters—Singing as a beneficial exercise for the chest—
Summary of eleven years’ operatic work _page_ 355

CHAPTER IX.
FRIENDS IN ENGLAND.
Home of the heart—Of her adoption—The Grotes—Mr. Edward
Lewin—The Bishop of Norwich and Mrs. Stanley—Mary and
Arthur Penrhyn Stanley—“Jenny Lind’s smile”—A letter from
Tasmania—A Swedish Bible—Mrs. Stanley’s report to her
sister—Mme. Salis Schwabe—Baroness and Miss French _page_ 366

BOOK IX.—FRUITION.

CHAPTER I.
WHY DID JENNY LIND LEAVE THE STAGE?
A dramatic genius—The moment of recoil—Reasons—Mrs. Grote’s
views—Tired—The hope of tranquillity—Love of home—Scheme
for endowment of the Theatre School—Second London season—A
crisis—Engagement to Herr Günther broken—A proposal—
Clashing standpoints—Ruin awaits old friends—Mr. Nassau
Senior—A pledge redeemed—Release—To Paris and Mrs. Grote—
“Tired to the very bones” _page_ 376

CHAPTER II.
WANDERINGS AT EASE.
Tale of singing birds—Song from Spontini’s _Vestale_—At the
Swedish Embassy—Death of Catalani—Rest enjoined—A visit to
Mme. Mendelssohn—A grape cure—America on the horizon—Mr.
Goldschmidt’s concert at Hamburg—To Berlin—Royal
invitation to Stockholm—Letter from King Oscar I. _page_ 393

CHAPTER III.
LÜBECK.
An English letter from Jenny Lind—Plan for going to Russia
negatived—American tour—Barnum—His liberality—Destination
of the American earnings—Mr. Benedict and Signor Belletti—
Children’s ball at Lübeck—Mr. Goldschmidt—Hanover—The
Queen of Hanover’s recollections—Excitement at Göttingen—
The Burschenschaft Hannovera—At Berlin—Letter from Prof.
Jüngken—Herr Rellstab’s tribute—Lieder—The last air of
“Susanna”—Hamburg and Mme. Schumann’s diary—Jenny Lind’s
aversion to “Society”—Enthusiasm for Schumann’s songs—Last
“notes” of Jenny Lind “An den Sonnenschein”—Munificence to
the Students’ Union at Lund—A bracelet from the Court of
Berlin—Religious impressions _page_ 402

CHAPTER IV.
HOME ONCE MORE.
With the “Gauthiod”—The _Daily Allehanda_—Fröken von
Stedingk’s record—A bunch of forget-me-nots—Presentation
of medal struck in her honour—Address—Medals, a legacy to
the National Museum, Stockholm—Singing in the St. Clara
Kyrka _page_ 428