Jenny Lind (1820 – 1887)

Swedish coloratura soprano Johanna Maria “Jenny” Lind was born on this day in 1820.

P.T. Barnum toured the U.S. with “The Swedish Nightingale” and got very rich in the process. Barnum was so successful a promoter that 40,000 people showed up at the New York harbor to greet her arrival. She was the first celebrity, and among the first to reap the rewards of celebrity endorsement.

“Lindomania” swept the country. Songs, dances, clothing, pianos, pleasure boats, and even a locomotive were named after her. I’ll bet you that there are scores of marinas in this country with a “Jenny Lind” moored at dockside.

Here’s the musical notation for the Jenny Lind Polka, courtesy of The Session website. Follow the link and click the "sheetmusic" tab.

Here is an 1852 daguerreotype of Lind by the eminent photographer Mathew Brady.