The Swedish Nightingale at the 9th Annual Bishop Hill Chautauqua

For the 2021 Bishop Hill Chautauqua on Saturday, August 28.  Paula Van Kuren will be portraying Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale.  Her performance will include songs by Frederic Mendelssohn, who had a crush on the young singer.    Paula will be performing in the park at 3 p.m.

For the 175th Anniversary of the Bishop Hill Colony.  this year’s Chautauqua is focusing on Swedish and Bishop Hill historical figures.  Johanna Maria “Jenny” Lind (6 October 1820 – 2 November 1887) was a Swedish opera singer, often called the “Swedish Nightingale”. One of the most highly regarded singers of the 19th century, she performed in soprano roles in opera in Sweden and across Europe, and undertook an extraordinarily popular concert tour of the United States beginning in 1850. Locally, Miss Lind contributed money that helped build the Jenny Lind Chapel in Andover, IL.

For more information about this event, please call 309 927-3899 or email bhha@mymctc.net. This festival is free so please bring your lawn chair and enjoy the show!