Great Performers: Jenny Lind

[@ClassicalNerd]

*This video has **_exploded_** in views in recent days* due to the release of _The Greatest Showman_ and I've gotten a couple of ... well, rather rude comments from folks expecting something from this video that it isn't. The _Great Performers_ and _Great Composers_ series on this channel are intended to be biographical portraits, along with why the figures are so important to music history, in many cases separating fact from fiction. I've not seen _The Greatest Showman_ but I can only surmise that, being a product of Hollywood, it fictionalizes Lind's life and work despite the fact that it's incredible enough that it needn't be fictionalized at all. As far as her original music is concerned, despite Ms. Sorrell's comment below, I've not run across a legitimate Jenny Lind recording; I'd imagine that there were a number of recordings in the early days of the medium where enterprising manufacturers would attach the Lind name in hopes of increasing sales. One sees this with Haydn symphony scores in Paris during his lifetime as well. As far as her small compositional output is concerned, it's more of a curiosity than anything else and is wholly irrelevant to the musicologist when compared to the proto-rock-star status of her time.

[@cards0486]

Classical Nerd I was looking at GREATEST SHOWMAN clips, but saw this site name and purposely came here. I was a freshman in college (1970) when I was first exposed, REALLY exposed, to classical composers. I’ve been an avid fan ever since. I subscribed to it so I would have access to his other videos.

[@waypay1]

The movie makes Jenny Lind appear to have been a home wrecker. Apparently it's not art if someone's reputation isn't ruined.

[@Lural29]

The Greatest Showman's film took inspiration on this rather puritan singer and "sexed up" her history to suit their ratings. Shame that some people can't tell fact from fiction. I congratulate you for such fantastic biography. She would have been pleased... I'm sure.

[@mrjaimemcgrath]

Thanks for this video - I came here from the Letters of Emily Dickinson, who wrote about seeing Lind one stormy summer evening in Northampton, Mass.'s First Church, in a letter to her brother Austin, dated July 5, 1851. She writes: " ... how Jennie came out like a child an sang and sang agin - how bouquets fell in showers, and the roof was rent with applause - how it thundered outside, and inside with the thunder of God and men - judge ye which was the loudest; how we all loved Jennie Lind, but not accustomed oft to her manner of singing didn't fancy that so well as we did her. No doubt it was very fine, but take some notes from her Echo, the bird sounds from the Bird Song, and some of her curious trills, and I'd rather have a Yankee. Herself and not her music was what we seemed to love - she has an air of exile in her mild blue eyes, and a something sweet and touching in her native accent which charms her many friends. Give me my thatched cottage as she sang she grew so earnest she seemed half lost in song, and for a transient time I fancied she had found it and would be seen 'na mair;' and then her foreign accent made her again a wanderer - we will talk about her sometime when you come."

[@creidy3343]

This is all so interesting. I did not view this because of The Greatest Showman although a friend recently mentioned the movie. I didn't know of the connection between Jenny Lind and PT Barnum. My father was from Sweden. He was born in 1902. When I was growing up, he often mentioned Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale, and said what a great singer she was. He came to the US and settled in Massachusetts when he was around 20. We lived near Northampton in Worthington. I noticed someone mentioning that she sang in Northampton MA. I named my daughter Jennifer Lynn after Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale. My daughter Jenn looks Swedish with her blond hair and blue eyes.

[@jonwefel8464]

I am a descendant of Jenny Lind. My mother Linda Lind passed 20 years ago and was also a singer but unknown. I'm a professional guitarist. I played in 3 tributes to Journey, The Cure and U2. Like Jenny Lind, I believe God called me to build music schools in 2020. :)

[@Bubbleb2]

My maiden name is Lind, my father has said we are decendents of her has well. I am also a singer. Singing is like breathing to me.

[@ericsmith7153]

How many have you built so far?

[@kathleenzollinger4664]

I'm also a descendant of Otto Goldschmidt who married her.

[@SilencedButNotForgotten]

Wonderful!

[@bryantlane8646]

Obey God is True Success! Dr. Bryant Lane

[@PaulaWordCrafts]

I finally got around to watching The Greatest Showman. I discovered this channel in trying to learn more about Jenny Lind. This is a great mini-biography of her. I will definitely watch other videos on your channel!

[@natalkapasicznyk]

Thank you for this video - I am actually revising Lind for an exam at uni and this really helped!!!:)

[@moow950]

The holy grail (if it even exists) is a (wax) recording of Jenny Lind’s voice.

[@barryonedrop1]

My gt gt grandfather Giovanni Domenico Mariani backed Jenny Lind as Viola player in the orchestra at Castle Garden aka Castle Clinton at NYC Battery Park in 1850, he was an Italian in exile and former member of La scala opera house, Milan and with the Havana Opera Company for 4 years which disbanded in N.Y.C that year when touring the city.

[@vikke2013]

Jenny Lind actually used to be featured on the Swedish 50 crown bill (equivalent of about 5 USD). Sadly, those are since a few years ago replaced by other bills.

[@grantveebeejay535]

Thomas Grand. You are that. I love your work. Thank you for all you offer on your channel. Very informative, entertaining, a little nasal but marvellous in the end.

[@MiaFeigelsonGallery]

@ClassicalNerd, thank you so very much for your highly informative Video, it keeps the same brilliant standard as all your Videos ! Best wishes

[@charlesloftin8768]

Too bad it was so long ago her voice couldn't be recorded 😕

[@stephaniemckee8887]

Charles Loftin pt barneum was

[@tulatisa6493]

I would of loved to hear a true high soprano . Being able to hit those notes made my life worth living.

[@caitlinjane92]

It really is. Even if she remained alive by the time audio recording technology was first invented, she probably wouldn't have been able to perform because she had permanently retired before then.

[@essentialworship3415]

Audio recording was invented before she passed on...who knows if she was recorded or not. Hmm?

[@creidy3343]

I read some of the comments from descendants of Jenny Lind who are singers, although not famous. Perhaps one of them sounds a lot like Jenny Lind. I would love to hear them.

[@lynnblackwell2600]

I read that many wondered at the height of her career when her voice was at its peak why she left the stage to never return...her fans just KNEW she must've missed all of that fame and fortune and certainly the applause of thousands but in reality she was content to live in seclusion with her husband. It is told that an English friend went to visit her and found her on the beach with a Bible on her knee and as he drew near he noticed that her attention was fixed upon the beautiful setting sun. As they visited their conversation turned to her new life. "How is it that you came to abandon the stage at the apex of your career?" her friend asked. Jenny Lind's answer reflected her peace of mind and heart: "When every day it made me think less of this (laying a finger on the Bible) and nothing at all of that (pointing to the sunset) what else could I do?" I'd say she had her priorities in order!

[@tulatisa6493]

Lynn Blackwell I have cousins named Blackwell. Well, at one time most stages where no place for a lady.

[@tulatisa6493]

Lynn Blackwell Singing for God is an honor too.

[@shimmeringfairydust3275]

Beautiful information! Thank you for providing it!

[@shimmeringfairydust3275]

Tula Tisa You always have such awesome comments!

[@Madam-ri8gs]

There was a stampede of fans trying to get closer to see her.some were trampled to death. Then she quit.

[@kellygraeber6286]

Love this! You are an intelligent and funny young man. Thanks for posting!

[@marszenka]

If it makes you feel better...I grew up reading "Jenny Lind And Her Listening Cat" so although I enjoyed Showman, I was a bit miffed by her presence in it. I've been so curious to know what her voice actually sounded like though, since I was small. I want to know! Didn't know about Hans Christian Andersen though. That's interesting.

[@shimmeringfairydust3275]

marszenka I read that book, too, when I was a kid! Loved it! I’ve always been interested in Jenny Lind. Would love to hear her sing.

[@MrsBV65]

Thank you for the information on Jenny Lind. Having watched the Greatest Showman has encouraged me to read biographies of P. T. Barnum. which made me curious about Jenny Lind. How sad we don't have any recording of Miss Lind. Loved you extensive information about her. Excellent.

[@themetchannel4529]

I am definitely here because I want to learn more about the real Jenny Lind :-) The story about Barnum, his butler, the Cow and Jenny Lind had me rolling

[@eline65]

L. Alexis Taylor-Baker they should have put the cow in the movie!

[@tulatisa6493]

Sounds like Bull...

[@CheriTangwolfyproductions]

who's here because of the greatest showman

[@ClassicalNerd]

I would imagine quite a few people; this video's gotten several thousand views in the past week!

[@charlesloftin8768]

Cheri Tang never would have known about her otherwise

[@Psalm1267]

I'm here because of Andrew Remillard's video of Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words, which led me to look into Mendelssohn a little more closely on Wikipedia, where I saw Jenny Lind mentioned. Andrew's video was just uploaded yesterday.

[@luxuryqueen42]

Just saw it recently. And yeah that’s true lol

[@carladelandro8623]

Me I saw it two times already

[@cherubpineda6603]

If anyone here wants to skip to P.T. Barnum’s part in her life, his name is first stated in 5:10 - 5:15, but I suggest you listen to the whole thing to understand the real story and etc.

[@stephenkolarac5305]

Thank you for a marvelous presentation! You are a handsome and extremely intelligent young man!😊

[@happyandblessed5640]

Very interesting and well put together.

[@paintbrush3753]

I guess you can say Barnum's greed was................... NEVER ENOUGH for him

[@rjsmith6698]

Excellent video. I’ve never hear of the movie “Greatest Showman”, but just read about Jenny Lind, virtually 10 min ago, in a book on Scandinavian history, and thought I’d check KZbin for an old recording. No recording of course, but a very informative video. Thanks.

[@Madam-ri8gs]

Frieda Hempel sang Jenny in concerts and in recordings..very connected to her soul

[@TauraCasanova]

Aw, disappointed there's no mention of her adorning the 50 krona note in Sweden.

[@natalkapasicznyk]

My Lecturer interestingly said that she quit the operatic stage, because at the time it was looked down upon by some for a woman to perform onstage and be 'looked at' by loads of people (particularly men) as it somehow made them appear 'available'. She was often looked up to compared to some 'divas' as she came across as modest and it has been suggested that she quit the operatic stage due to marriage and starting a family, along with this "modesty" idea

[@Madam-ri8gs]

Not true..Opera fem singers sang in Mozart's time..1700s. Jenny stopped because several fans were killed in a stampede to see her

[@Endurorodzndubz]

After her death in 1887, aged 67, she was buried in Great Malvern Cemetery to the solemn music of Chopin’s Funeral March. Jenny Lind’s grave can be found in plot 3 grave number 1264. A signpost points the way.

[@imogenlodge6410]

Um it's actually in maderfield which is pritty much Malvern and itts a butiful place I live her and like walk through the cemitary to get to school like everyday so yeah

[@Madam-ri8gs]

She was friends with Chopin. She wrote about him

[@Ask571986]

I like your humor. Subscribed.

[@AzDaz222]

Lind was buried in Malvern, Worcestershire. She has a building named after her on the Worcester City University campus

[@Ua_ola_no_i_ka_pane_a_ke_aloha]

This would actually make a good movie.

[@shimmeringfairydust3275]

UlalaPanda I agree!

[@bunkertons]

Fabulous, just fabulous! Thank you!

[@mattcaracciolo1139]

A street in North Versailles PA is named after her. I just now realized that now!

[@finddeniro]

I saw Judy Collins in Concert. .Live . I Cried 7 times. .Best I Could imagine . .and Sense. .

[@Sparklesuz]

Thank you ~!

[@SydiusVideo]

Thank You!

[@annalisette5897]

Some sources have claimed Jenny Lind did not sing the most difficult operatic arias. But another source claims that 'Vive Carlo' from "I Masnadieri" was written FOR Jenny Lind. IMO that aria was best sung by Joan Sutherland in recent times.

[@webdoktor]

Incredible biography, thank you so much.

[@awesomenessmanley6842]

Is there any recordings of her singing?

[@carterkayla4]

Do we know anything about her concert with Ole Bull in Mammoth Cave?

[@ClassicalNerd]

We know that she got a cave tour, but the National Park Service doesn't have any information on if she sang there [ www.nps.gov/people/jenny-lind.htm ].

[@carterkayla4]

@@ClassicalNerd Thank you! I visited this weekend and read that on the self-guided tour inside the museum.

[@Rayblondie]

Jenny Lind wrote in an autograph album "In vain I seek for rest in all created good; it leaves me still unblessed and makes me cry for God. And sure at rest I cannot be until my soul finds rest in Thee." I wonder if this has something to do with her retirement.

[@Madam-ri8gs]

Her shock and pain over the stampede that hurt people and some died to see her. She wanted children and a regular life and she taught and did charity work and the Goldsmiths met Queen Victoria She also promoted Otto her younger husband pianist composer who after her passing had Bach choir at Royal Albert Hall .He lived 20 more years.

[@talia2253]

I wish the greatest showman hadn't given her a pop ballad... maybe I would give the movie a chance if it was even a little historically accurate music wise

[@imogenlodge6410]

What u didn't mention was that in her last few years she moved to Malvern where I live like she lived up the road and theirs a university named after her in Worcester and like her graves in maderfield which is like 3 miles from where I live which is kinda call similar to Elgar but that's a different story

[@h.nicolejorgensen2077]

I like this. Thanks for such an interesting and informative video. I will hit that sub button. Keep them coming. 🙋😁

[@arianadolores5769]

Great video!! I learned a lot! 😊

[@natalkapasicznyk]

Hahah Oh wow I didn't know about the Snow Queen theory, how interesting

[@maureensorrell3729]

This is incredible because my great grandmother, Hermine Hesse Pechmann was the niece of Jenny Lind. My grandfather had me read a biography of her when I was in first grade. My grandpa Pechmann had a collection of 78 lps and gave me a Jenny Lind recording with a dark green label and had a simple white slipcover. I played it but it was opera music so I was not impressed. I kept it with my other childhood albums, and didn't value it. I am so sick that I probably allowed it to get thrown away.

[@caydence808]

That's incredible. Do you sing?

[@pbluvstoast140369]

That’s pretty cool! She is a distant relative of mine. My grandfather (as well as many others in my family) was named after her, actually! We have a family farm that she visited off the record to rest in between tours. Small world!

[@maureensorrell3729]

How are you related to her--I know she had children.

[@pbluvstoast140369]

Maureen Sorrell Her fathers brother was the first of the Linds to come to America and through him we get to the Knieriems! So distant cousin, I guess. My Pap did a ton of research but if you have anything that’s little known (since your family actually had artifacts) I’d LOVE to learn more!

[@Ruffiello]

Jenny Lind died long before the advent of recordings of any kind. There have never been any recordings of Lind.

[@albertodillon]

Thanks to the movie :"the greatest showman " l have discovered the singer Jenny Lind. Not easy to find on You Tube opera songs from her

[@Madam-ri8gs]

There was no recording technology in 1840-87 yet

[@YIM203]

Hi, I think Lucia Popp’s life is a very good topic for one of your next videos!! Cheers!!!! :)

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@YIM203]

Classical Nerd oh hi!!! I just saw your answer, KZbin dind’t told me of this hahah. Thanks a lot :)

[@YIM203]

Classical Nerd Finally, I would like to make another request to you: Krystian Zimermann, he’s an incredible pianist, I’m sure you know him.

[@ClassicalNerd]

@@YIM203 Yeah, KZbin doesn't always notify people of replies.

[@ClassicalNerd]

@@YIM203 I don't cover any artists with ongoing careers (which means most every living musician).

[@tammyhengst8773]

Great information, thanks, very interesting, what a LIFE she led`! I look forward to hearing Jenny's voice in Heaven someday :) I'm sure she's singing with Angels.

[@Madam-ri8gs]

She's reincarnated

[@tulatisa6493]

The Greatest Showman can continue. I feel each person in the show has a life story. How wonderful to teach others to love people that aye special. Make new songs. O..this could be great for the children being bullied like I was. Go for it! Lady Tula

[@jimstorch6434]

There is a street named after Jenny Lind in McKeesport, PA.

[@dreyospearman3083]

I went to the school in Minnesota

[@thenativenraven]

😐

[@nandocordeiro5853]

Yes

[@sebman1235]

Ima Linds second inherited eyebrow to the third power, shower me in praise

[@maxcrowe3900]

I recommend The Jenny Lind Polka.

[@caydence808]

I loved the Greatest Showman so much that I am rewriting it to fill in parts I felt were missing.. lol I wished it was longer..didn't want it to end. ❤

[@lanalover2595]

Caydence * lets rewrite the stars yall

[@Madam-ri8gs]

That pop singer actress was nothing like Jenny

[@ashleygomm6047]

So as far as you know, there is not record of P.T Barnum and and Lind having any kind of Romance correct? I love the movie, but I hate that they ruin her name (if what they show was not true).

[@ClassicalNerd]

That's a Hollywood fabrication to make the film "more interesting." As I think this video should show, doing so is unnecessary.

[@Madam-ri8gs]

She didn't have a romance w him

[@justbaquatics2512]

I'm working next door to were she lived I the boltons in london

[@carmellapride7412]

Do you think jin would like the song never enough because ik thay music then was different than today's

[@arduh]

The Greatest Showman:)

[@shesquaking404]

here from the greatest showman..u?

[@ShorkGamer]

Wow....You got lucky there, that you already made a video for her!

[@vellbariaofficial]

I'm here because of "THE GREATEST SHOWMAN" and expected her to sing operatically but not long after I heard her pop singing... that's a twist!

[@Madam-ri8gs]

Stupid

[@donaldthomas1963]

town in Arkansas

[@janitha001]

I'm a classical nerd too yo... Just watching Greatest show man movie 😂

[@nnotelly]

1820 omg really ik she is still living lol

[@danielausuga5171]

Hello. . Good video . I have a book from 1901. It is called "Songs We Love all the favorites from every land" It has great songs. The musical editor is Professor D.H Morrison. I try to research about him but I did not get a lot information. Do you may be know about him? Thank you .

[@ClassicalNerd]

I've not heard of him before, but cursory research reveals little; all the results I got were for an otolaryngologist in New Jersey. I'll keep an eye out in the future, though!

[@danielausuga5171]

Classical Nerd Thank you If I find more about him I will let you know too.

[@finddeniro]

Marion Anderson ? Once in a Generation . .

[@jonas27248]

Haloooooooooo

[@kaija2633]

I’m apparently related to her

[@Bubbleb2]

Same

[@nandocordeiro5853]

No way me tpop

[@ILoveMyOrchids]

Since there are no recordings, it’s impossible to know if she was any good or she was just hyped up, like many singers today. Those people got excited over ankles, so their opinions on a voice aren’t credible to me.

[@charlescohen6140]

Go worship your orchids!

[@Madam-ri8gs]

Masses raved about her.

[@Rayblondie]

She wasn't a rock star.

[@autsni2082]

If it was 1849, maybe she was sad about the death of Chopin and Edgar Allan Poe

[@Madam-ri8gs]

Chopin def..sad and guilty for the people fans that died in the stampede

[@orange8376]

She kissed pt Barnum

[@ClassicalNerd]

_The Greatest Showman_ is not accurate historical evidence.

[@marklentine8793]

This should say “not great performances” because there is no performance.

[@ClassicalNerd]

... it's "performers." She was a performer.

[@carlosgouyonnet5847]

She is not boring, you are...!!!

[@ClassicalNerd]

I'm sorry you think that way. Nearly 5,000 people disagree.

[@lilymarch4756]

He is talking about her, How does that work??? he is talking about her life story which is not boring but then you say he is boring. Im confused.

[@mrkoplak2011]

talking too much

[@ClassicalNerd]

I don't really know what you expected from a video biography.

[@carlosgouyonnet5847]

So boring!!!

[@ClassicalNerd]

I've read a lot of descriptions of Jenny Lind, but "boring" is a new one.

[@nandocordeiro5853]

AGREEDD!

[@joegagnon1590]

waste of time

[@ClassicalNerd]

Never have I seen a comment that so succinctly describes itself.

[@jayyoung4534]

Greatly disappointed. I was really expecting to hear the voice of the immortal LInd instead of this annoying narrative.

[@ClassicalNerd]

... you realize that she lived and died before recording technology, right?

[@jayyoung4534]

@@ClassicalNerd Touche!

[@Madam-ri8gs]

Find Frieda Hempel recording of her doing Jenny.. this is about how she was