JENNY LIND IN NEW YORK

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6944, 25 June 1929, Page 11

JENNY LIND IN NEW YORK

My arrangements of the concert room were very complete. - The great parterre and gallery of Castle Garden were divided by imaginary lines into four compartments, each of which was designated by a lamp of a different colour. The tickets wero printed in colours corresponding with the location which the holders were to occupy, and 100 ushers, with rosettes and bearing wands tipped with ribbons of the several hues, enabled every individual to find his or her seat without the slightest difficulty. Every seat was of course numbered in colour to correspond with the check which each person retained, after giving up an entrance ticket at the door. Thus tickets, checks, lamps, rosettes, wands, and even the seat numbers were all in the appropriate colours to designate tho different departments. These arrangements were duly advertised, and every particular was also printed upon each ticket. Tho reception of Jenny Lind on her first appearance, in point of enthusiasm, was probably neve rbefore eemailed in the world. As Mr. Benedict led her towards the footlights, the entire audicnco rose to their feet and welcomed leer witht three cheers, accompanied by the waving of thousands of hats aud handkerchiefs. This was by far the biggest audience to which Jenny Lind had ever sung. She was evidently much agitated, but the orchestra commenced, and before she had sung a dozen notes of “Casta Diva’’ she began to recover her self-possession, and long before the scene was concluded, she”was as calm as if she were in her own drawing room. Towards the last portion of the cavatina the audience were so completely carried away by their feelings that the remainder of the air was drowned in a perfect tempest of acclamation. Enthusiasm had been wrought to its highest pitch, but the musical powers of Jcuny l.ind exceeded all 'the brilliant anticipations which had been formed, and her triumph was complete.—From “Barnum’s Own Story,” compiled by Waldo li. Browne.