Jenny Lind's America

Coloratura soprano and Welsh triple harpist Zoe Vandermeer will be performing music Miss Lind sang in her concerts in America, from late 1850 to mid 1852. Staying true to Jenny Lind's program concepts, Ms. Vandermeer will be singing dazzling Bel Canto opera arias, heartfelt Scottish folk songs, beautiful Art Songs composed expressly for Jenny Lind, and a fun polka about 'Lindomania'. Harp solos and entertaining anecdotes will be interspersed throughout the evening.   

Known as the Swedish Nightingale, opera diva Jenny Lind was brought to America in 1850 by Connecticut's own P.T. Barnum. Her fame preceded her thanks to the fine marketing efforts of Mr. Barnum. Miss Lind's American operatic debut took place at Castle Garden (now known as Castle Clinton) in New York City on September 11, 1850, with at least six thousand people in attendance. She gave over 100 concerts touring as far south as Cuba and New Orleans, and north to Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Boston, Hartford and New Haven, to name a few. 'Lindomania' was born!  Both P.T Barnum and Miss Lind made significant sums of money from her performances, and much of her portion she donated to charities, struggling individuals, orphans, women, and schools. During the latter portion of her Tour, she married Otto Goldschmidt during their stay in Massachusetts. Although there is no recording of Jenny Lind's voice, the legacy of Jenny Lind (1820-1887) has lived on as one of the finest European singers of her day, inspiring singers both in her own time and ours.  

About the Artist:

Zoe Vandermeer is a prize-winning graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is currently engaged in a Masters degree (online) about Jenny Lind at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Ms. Vandermeer performed in Carnegie Hall in 2014 as First Prize Winner of the B. Alexander International Vocal Competition. She was just awarded the Silver Medal from Global Music Awards (2026) for her recording of a Bel Canto aria, in which she accompanied her singing on her Welsh Triple Harp. She was named a Quarter-Finalist in the 2026 World Harp Competition. Ms. Vandermeer has performed at Castle Clinton New York City, Rio International Harp Festival Brazil, International Festival de Deia Spain, Glasgow International Early Music Festival, Connecticut Early Music Festival, New Britain American Museum of Art, American Swedish Historical Museum Philadelphia, American Harp Society, Somerset Harp Festival, New Salem Museum, Bloomington Early Music Festival, and elsewhere. Ms. Vandermeer is on the Roster of the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism and has been a recipient of numerous scholarships, prizes, grants and awards, including the Dame Joan Sutherland Fund, MTNA Foundation Grant, and CT Office of the Arts grant. Ms. Vandermeer has been a featured guest on radio stations and in publications in the US and Scotland.She is looking forward to the release of her solo album of the music of G.F. Handel and his contemporaries. www.zoevandermeer.com

Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.

Sponsored by the John Loeb Lecture Fund.