Jenny Lind
Swedish soprano famed as the 'Swedish Nightingale' and philanthropist.
Johanna Maria "Jenny" Lind (6 October 1820 – 2 November 1887), known as the "Swedish Nightingale," was a Swedish opera singer and one of the most highly regarded sopranos of the 19th century. She performed in opera across Sweden and Europe and undertook a highly popular concert tour of the United States beginning in 1850, donating much of her earnings to charity.
- born
- 6 October 1820
- died
- 2 November 1887
- field
- Opera singer (soprano)
- nationality
- Swedish
- known_for
- Called the 'Swedish Nightingale'; highly regarded 19th-century soprano; U.S. con
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Jenny Lind was born in Klara, central Stockholm, the illegitimate daughter of Niclas Jonas Lind, a bookkeeper, and Anne-Marie Fellborg, a schoolteacher. Her singing was overheard at age nine by the maid of Mademoiselle Lundberg, the principal dancer at the Royal Swedish Opera, leading to an audition and admission to the Royal Dramatic Training Academy. She began singing onstage at age 10. Her first great role was Agathe in Weber's Der Freischütz in 1838 at the Royal Swedish Opera. At 20, she was a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music and court singer to the King of Sweden and Norway. After vocal damage from overuse and untrained technique, she studied with Manuel García in Paris from 1841 to 1843, who saved her voice by insisting she not sing at all for three months before teaching her a healthy bel canto technique. In December 1844, through Meyerbeer's influence, Lind sang the title role in Bellini's Norma in Berlin, leading to engagements throughout Germany and Austria. She was closely associated with Felix Mendelssohn, who wrote the soprano aria "Hear Ye Israel" in his oratorio Elijah with her voice in mind. She debuted in London on 4 May 1847 in an Italian version of Meyerbeer's Robert le diable, attended by Queen Victoria; The Times wrote of "such a scene of enthusiasm as that displayed last night." In July 1847, she starred in the world premiere of Verdi's I masnadieri under the composer's baton. At age 29, she announced her permanent retirement from opera, with her last performance on 10 May 1849 in Robert le diable, again attended by Queen Victoria. In 1850, she went to the United States at the invitation of P. T. Barnum, giving 93 large-scale concerts for him and then continuing under her own management. She earned more than $350,000 (equivalent to $13,545,000 in 2025), donating the proceeds to charities, principally the endowment of free schools in Sweden. She married Otto Goldschmidt and returned to Europe in 1852, settling in England in 1855. She had three children and gave occasional concerts over the next three decades. From 1882, she was a professor of singing at the Royal College of Music in London for some years.
Reader's Guide
Jenny Lind's significance lies in her extraordinary vocal talent and her impact on 19th-century music and philanthropy. As the "Swedish Nightingale," she was one of the most highly regarded singers of the 19th century, renowned for her soprano roles and, according to Lindsay B. Yeates, her "outstanding ability to act." Her U.S. tour with P. T. Barnum was a landmark event in American concert history, and her decision to donate her substantial earnings to charity, particularly free schools in Sweden, greatly enhanced her international popularity even among the unmusical. Her early retirement from opera at age 29 remains a mystery, as her biographer Francis Rogers wrote, "The reasons for her early retirement have been much discussed for nearly a century, but remain today a matter of mystery." Lind's legacy includes her influence on composers like Mendelssohn, who wrote the beginnings of an opera, Lorelei, for her, and her role as a professor at the Royal College of Music, shaping future singers. Her life also inspired Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote, "No book or personality whatever has exerted a more ennobling influence on me, as a poet, than Jenny Lind. For me she opened the sanctuary of art."
Did You Know?
- Lind's singing was first discovered at age nine by a maid of the principal dancer at the Royal Swedish Opera, who arranged an audition.
- She earned more than $350,000 (equivalent to $13,545,000 in 2025) from her U.S. concerts and donated the proceeds to charities, principally free schools in Sweden.
- Felix Mendelssohn wrote the soprano aria 'Hear Ye Israel' in his oratorio Elijah with Lind's voice in mind, focusing the tessitura around F-sharp (F♯5).
- Lind's last opera performance was on 10 May 1849 in Robert le diable, attended by Queen Victoria and other members of the Royal Family.
- Hans Christian Andersen fell in love with Lind in 1843, and she is believed to have inspired three of his fairy tales: 'Beneath the Pillar,' 'The Angel,' and 'The Nightingale.'
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jenny Lind?
Jenny Lind (1820–1887) was a Swedish soprano widely regarded as one of the finest opera voices of the nineteenth century. She is best remembered by the nickname 'Swedish Nightingale,' which captured the light, sweet quality of her tone.
What made Jenny Lind's American tour so famous?
Starting in 1850, she embarked on a massive U.S. concert tour managed by showman P. T. Barnum, which turned her into a national sensation and drew enormous crowds. The tour cemented her reputation far beyond the European opera world.
How did Jenny Lind use her earnings?
She was noted for channeling a significant portion of her performance income into charitable causes. This generosity became a defining part of her public image alongside her artistry.
What kind of voice and repertoire was Jenny Lind known for?
She was a lyric soprano whose style emphasized clarity, warmth, and expressive singing rather than sheer vocal power. Her roles in Swedish and European opera houses showcased a delicate, emotionally direct approach to the soprano line.
When and where did Jenny Lind die?
She passed away on 2 November 1887 after largely retiring from the stage in the 1860s. Her final years were spent between Sweden and France, away from the spotlight.
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