Jenny Lind to come alive in Brownsville during National Road Festival
BROWNSVILLE – The 19th century Swedish soprano Jenny Lind, who will be played by Emily Lapisardi, will return to Brownsville as part of the National Road Festival. At 1 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday, Lapisardi will don period attire and the persona of Lind for concerts from the repertoire of the “Swedish Nightingale” at the Flatiron Building.
Drawing from personal accounts and historical records, these presentations strive to bring to life the wonder and danger of Lind’s American tour through song and story.
One of these dangers originally brought Lind to Brownsville in late April 1851 as she fled from a riot at her Pittsburgh concert. Lapisardi’s research uncovered evidence of the visit.
“C.G. Rosenberg, a music critic who followed Lind for most of her tour, wrote abut having breakfast in Brownsville after the riot, a good egg and bad coffee,” the historical impersonator revealed.
A classically trained soprano, Lapisardi’s varied musical background ranges from singing for Andrew Lloyd Webber at Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center to directing a choir and performing as a soloist at Old Economy Village, a state historic site.
Known for her historical impersonations locally, she has performed in six states for festivals, museums, schools, historical societies and re-enactments.
Traveling as far away as Louisiana for bookings, Lapisardi portrays eight other famous women including Rose Greenhow, Sarah Bernhardt, George Sand and Anna Pavolva.
“One of my favorite performances as Jenny Lind was in Gallipolis, Ohio, at the Our House State Memorial,” Lapisardi said. “I performed by candlelight in the very same room in which Lind sang 150 years earlier.”
Lapisardi’s portrayal of Lind was originally developed for the Flatiron Building, a venue she always enjoys.
The two different concerts she will present this year have evolved over the years to include selections from operas, oratorios and 19th century popular music of England, Scotland, Sweden and America, all of which were performed by Lind during her tour.
“I try to choose pieces from Jenny’s repertoire that were especially meaningful to her, such as the great aria ‘I Know that my Redeemer Liveth’ from Handel’s ‘Messiah’ and compositions by her dear friend Felix Mendelssohn,” Lapisardi said, adding that the title of the Handel aria was carved on Lind’s memorial in Westminster Abbey.
Because Lapisardi’s performance techniques involve staying in character throughout the day of an appearance, visitors to the Flatiron Building will have the opportunity to interact with Jenny Lind before and after the concerts on Saturday and Sunday.
“In addition to spontaneous conversations, I will be engaging in some of Jenny’s favorite pastimes,” Lapisardi indicated, “knitting and playing ball.”
The performances are free and open to the public. For more information on the concerts from the repertoire of the “Swedish Nightingale,” contact the Flatiron Heritage and Visitors’ Center at 724-785-9331.