After The Overture, Cue The Black Swan
Updated: Jun 19, 2021
Campbell and Carr celebrates Women’s History month with “After The Overture, Cue The Black Swan”; a tea to celebrate Black opera singer, Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield.
Born a slave around 1824 in Natchez,MI she was raised by an abolitionist who recognized her vocal gifts early in her life. He freed her and then relocated them to Philadelphia, PA so she could receive paid vocal lessons.
Ms. Greenfield made her concert debut in Buffalo, NY in 1851 one year after the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. It was in Buffalo that her white critics attempted to discredit her talent with the crude nickname “The Black Swan” as a mockery style joke to compare her to Swedish soprano Jenny Lind who was popularly called “The Swedish Nightingale”.
How stupid of those critics as metaphorically, ‘Black Swan’ refers to that which is “rare, unpredictable and which exceeds what is normally expected.” Black supporters championed her and the right to attend her performances; and even those who would not initially raise their voices in truth for her extraordinary talent had to eventually... they always do.
Our gifts will make room for us! And so... Campbell & Carr lifts your name to the stars and raise our tea mugs in celebration to you, Ms. Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield. You are forever our beloved Black Swan!