Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale, was a household name in 1950 - as world-famous then as Beyonce is now. She was renowned not just as a singer but also for her charity, her generosity and, at a time when the terms 'singer' and 'actress' had scandalous overtones, her virtuous life. In this fascinating biography, Jenny Lind's great grand-daughter uncovers an extraordinary story, from the register of illegitimate births in Stockholm, to discovery by the Swedish Royal Theatre at just nine years old, to honour in the courts of Europe and a phenomenal tour of America. Jenny's story is one of huge professional triumph, offering her fame and fortune and even the interest of kings, princes and the rich and famous, yet she experienced searing heartbreak before finally finding happiness in love. A truly fascinating story, essential reading for everyone interested in music, theatre and general history.

Based on real events, a little cat, owned by Jenny Lind, the "Swedish Nightengale," helped Jenny on her way to fame and fortune.

This paperback documents the unique gala concert The Dream of Chopin, performed as music-with-a-story for piano and voice in Christ Church, Malvern (England) mid-July 2013. Chopin masterpieces are introduced by citing dramatic elements of Jenny Lind's life. The story reveals her real identity (the king's daughter), as well as the depth of her secret and tragic romance with Chopin (implicating George Sand and Wagner) and the power of the cult she later instigated to immortalize his oeuvre. - The script and its annotations and artworks draw on a large body of period information from many years of historical research by Icons of Europe, much not published or juxtaposed before. The booklet also contains a little cadenza probably written by Chopin during a singing lesson with Jenny Lind who, incognito, was his pupil in 1841-1842. The concert and the booklet provide new insight into the life and legacy of both Jenny Lind and Chopin and into the cultural evolution of the 19th century.