At a tender age of 9, Johanna Maria Lind showcased her remarkable singing talent before a master at the Royal Theatre in Stockholm, Sweden. The young girl’s captivating voice moved the teacher to tears and earned her a scholarship to study at the prestigious Royal Dramatic Theatre. There, she learned acting, dancing, and singing as part of her opera education.
In 1833, approximately four years after that initial audition, Lind began performing in theatrical productions. By 1837, she was given her first annual contract with the Royal Swedish Opera. However, it was in 1838 when her career truly took off, as she starred in Carl Maria von Weber’s “Der Freischütz,” winning the hearts of the Swedish public and solidifying her status as an opera sensation.
This remarkable talent did not go unnoticed by P.T. Barnum, a legendary American showman known for his ability to turn curiosities into lucrative ventures. In 1841, Barnum purchased the American Museum from Dr. John Scudder Jr., investing in a stationary source of entertainment that would later house many of his oddities and attract curious crowds.
As Lind’s career continued to flourish, she began touring Europe, performing in Germany, Austria, and England. In December 1844, she starred as the lead role in Vincenzo Bellini’s “Norma” at the Court Opera in Berlin, earning rave reviews from audiences. She then took on the role of Vielka in Giacomo Meyerbeer’s “Ein Feldlager in Schlesien,” which further solidified her reputation as a gifted opera performer. During this time, Lind had the honor of meeting Felix Mendelssohn, a legendary composer who would become a close friend until his untimely death in 1847.
In April 1847, she made her debut at Her Majesty’s Theatre as Alice in Meyerbeer’s “Robert le Diable,” impressing audiences and critics alike with her exceptional performance. She earned the moniker “Swedish Nightingale,” which aptly captured her ethereal, melodious voice.
As Lind prepared for her third season at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Barnum was busy completing his latest venture – an “Oriental Palace of America,” otherwise known as the American Museum. The grand opening took place in November 1848, coinciding with the height of Lind’s career in London. Her final performance at the theatre was dubbed the “Last Operatic Performance of Mdlle. Jenny Lind,” and it marked her retirement from opera.
In September 1850, Lind set sail for New York City, where she would embark on a highly anticipated tour of the United States and Canada, organized by Barnum. The excitement surrounding Lind’s arrival was palpable, with an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 people gathering in New York Harbor to welcome her. Her first performance took place at the Castle Garden on September 11th, following a highly publicized ticket auction organized by Barnum. The tour, which included over 90 performances in more than 15 cities across North America and even Havana, Cuba, generated approximately $700,000 ($28 million today.
Lind’s final performance in the United States took place on May 24th, 1852 at Castle Ground. Just five days later, on May 29th, she boarded a ship back to Europe, having left an indelible mark on American music lovers and solidified her position as one of the most celebrated opera singers in history.
