About this episode
Jenny Lind, the "Swedish Nightingale": a soprano who made strong men weep with the beauty of her voice. In this episode, Adam explores the Nightingale's sensational tour of the US in 1850-52. She was described as the "most famous woman in the world" by her promoter, the never-knowingly-unselling impresario P T Barnum. Her reputation for virtue did much to make theatre and performance respectable, but as Lind travelled across America, the country was riven by slavery. How would she navigate those divisions while retaining her reputation, and making money? The guests are Robert Wilson, author of Barnum: An American Life, and the music historian Katherine Preston. Reader: Dane Udenberg. Producer: Emily Williams. Presenter: Adam Smith.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get every episode summarized
Each time The Last Best Hope? publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The Last Best Hope?
The Battle over the 250th Anniversary
The Last Best Hope?
Jun 24, 202655:53pending
Why America Doesn't Love Soccer (Except When It Does)
The Last Best Hope?
Jun 10, 202636:54pending
1776 and the break up of the United States
The Last Best Hope?
May 27, 202638:48pending
The idea of America in British politics
The Last Best Hope?
May 13, 202650:13pending