(October 6, 1820-November 2, 1887)
Born in Stockholm, Sweden
Birth name was Johanna Maria Lind
Soprano
Appeared in the operas 'Der Freischutz' by Carl Maria von Weber, 'Robert le Diable' by Giacomo Meyerbeer and 'I Masnadieri' by Giuseppe Verdi
Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music (1840)
Nicknamed 'the Swedish Nightingale'

She disliked her musical training in France so much that she never performed in that country.
She suffered from stage fright.
Felix Mendelssohn reportedly threatened to commit suicide if she would not elope with him to America.
Her US tour was sponsored by P.T. Barnum, who paid her $187,500 (1850).
As part of his hype, Barnum paid a critic to write rapturous reviews of her Liverpool farewell concert, then circulated the review throughout American papers.

She was discovered at age nine when the maid of a dancer at the Royal Swedish Opera overheard her singing and arranged an audition for her.
Over 40,000 people greeted her on her arrival in New York City.
She inspired the naming of the Jenny Lind crib, Jenny Lind locomotive, an island in Canada and a town in California.
She funded several hospitals and schools.
One of the first recipients of the scholarships she established was composer Arthur Sullivan, who she encouraged in his career.
She is pictured on the Swedish 50 kronor note.

Credit: C. Fishel

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