LIND, Jenny (1820-1887). Singer.
Good Autograph Letter Signed ('J Lind Goldschmidt') to Amanda Aldridge (1866-1956, singer and composer), 4 pages 8vo with envelope, Villa l'Etoile, Cannes, 29 March [1887]. Praising Aldridge's teaching methods and offering advice about one of her pupils.

Amanda Aldridge was the daughter of Ira Frederick Aldridge, the distinguished African-American actor. In 1883 she won a scholarship to study under Jenny Lind at the Royal College of Music and thereafter enjoyed a good deal of success as a contralto. An attack of laryngitis left her with permanent damage to her voice and so she took to teaching, remembering the advice of her mentor to 'Never mind what happens to your throat. ... You can always earn a livelihood as a singing teacher, because you have a good insight into voice theory and practice'. Amongst her pupils were Marion Anderson, Paul Robeson and Roland Hayes.

'... you have several qualities which fit you for that important and interesting post. I am so glad you have another pupil, and hope you will soon get more as you go on giving satisfaction to such Ladies as Lady Bowen etc. Miss Bowen's R is hopeless I am afraid - unless you can teach her to move the tongue (the tip, almost) and not put her upper teeth on to the lower lip when she says: R! But as a rule natural defects are next to impossible to cure. ...'

[No: 26108]