The Lore the Historical Record Fellow Performers a Return Engagement

1892 BURLEIGH THE LORE THE HISTORICAL RECORD Burleigh was “discovered” in Saratoga Springs Area newspapers, including The Saratogian IN SARATOGA: with the help of summer residents in 1880. and Albany Evening Journal, do not reveal a “The services at 4pm began to direct connection between Burleigh and Mrs. attract such crowds there was MacDowell. Nor do the Bethesda Episcopal WORK, WORSHIP not room for all to hear. To one Church archives. It seems unlikely that Burleigh of the services that year also came the mother of the famous first came to the area in 1880, at 14 (as the American composer, Edward C. 1964 article said). Newspapers seem to first SONG MacDowell. She was Mrs. Frances have noted Burleigh in 1892. An article on the Knapp MacDowell, a guest at the United States Hotel. Like the oth- Grand Union Hotel staff member described ers she was entranced and came “I have a warm spot in my heart for Saratoga again and again to hear the Negro his singing in a service at a Y.M.C.A. affiliated youth. In 1892, Mrs. MacDowell with the Presbyterian church. Springs and for its people. I’ll never forget the made is possible for Burleigh to and attend the National Conservatory “The new rooms of the Young Men’s Christian Association were start I received there. It gave me encouragement of Music in NY, where another of occupied yesterday for the first time for a Sunday service. The to strive higher.” his friends became Anton Dvorak, Rev. Dr. F. A. [Netle] of Chicago presided, and the Rev. Dr. Merrick American composer.” Johnson of Chicago delivered an address. Harry Burleigh, colored, –Harry T. Burleigh, - The Saratogian, April 24, 1964 of Erie. Pa, assistant head waiter at the Grand Union, sang “I’m the Child of a King.” Selection from “Prettily Played: Shakespeare The Saratogian, 1964 Produced on the Grand Union Lawn,” Bethesda Episcopal Church was - August 15, 1892, Evening Journal. Fulton County Postcards Website founded in 1830. Saratoga Springs’ first Episcopal church, which seated Y.M.C.A. In 1892, Burleigh per- Harry T. Burleigh may or may not have been discovered by 600, moved to Washington Street formed at a Sunday service at the the classical music world in Saratoga Springs. However, near Broadway, in 1847. Although YMCA in Saratoga Springs, inau- a 1964 Saratogian article claims gurating its new rooms at 18-20 during the summers of 1892 and 1894 he was in the Burleigh sang in this church choir Phila Street for worship. This is a Spa City. The published record confirms the young sing- in 1880, no documentary evidence description of the Y.M.C.A.’s mis- yet found confirms the story. sion and activities from Kirwin’s er’s dedication to work, worship and song which were a Saratoga Springs Directory. Bethesda Episcopal Church Choir, ca. 1890s. Courtesy of Bethesda Episcopal Church hallmark of his later life and career in New York City. Archives. Text from Kirwin’s Saratoga Springs 1983 directory. 1894 A RETURN ENGAGEMENT FELLOW PERFORMERS By 1894, the New York Herald confirms Burleigh’s In Saratoga Springs, Burleigh encountered growing stature. An article on “Saratoga’s New York socialites, clergy and fellow workers. Big Season” (August 19) includes Burleigh as The town also hosted many African American a ‘notable guest’ affiliated with the National performers, including successful opera and Untitled Document Thomas M. Tryniski 309 South 4th Street Fulton New York 13069 Conservatory of Music who will sing at a “mu- www.fultonhistory.com troubadour singer Sissieretta Jones, known Music Pavilion & Lake, Congress Park, ca. 1880. From the Wittemann Brothers’ Saratoga Album (1883). Archive.org North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY. Detroit Publishing Col. ca.1900. Library of sicale at the North Broadway cottage of Mrs. Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. popularly as “Black Patti.” The ‘cottages’ of wealthy summer file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator/Desktop/hello.html2/18/2007 11:01:03 AM John. W. Ehninger of New York.” A week lat- visitors lined North Broadway. At Sissieretta Jones Born Matilda August 1892 and 1894. The Daily of any kind,... was taken and still er (August 26), the paper reported how the the top was Woodlawn Park, now Sissieretta Joyner (1869-1933) Saratogian described one: “[A] sixty percent of the people stood the home of Skidmore College. On studied voice at the New England great crush of people... began during the entire program... [T]he home’s “spacious parlors were filled with a this street, Burleigh gave a private concert in August 1894. Conservatory. Known as “Black pouring into the park an hour pavilion... was surrounded on all fashionable and appreciable audience.” Fellow Patti” after an Italian fellow-sopra- before... the concert. Both en- sides by the crowd of between African-American singers also performed in no, she gave concerts in Saratoga trances were used and the rush five and six thousand people who Springs that attracted thousands, did not cease for an hour and one were attracted by the phenomenal town, including the soprano Sissieretta Jones. possibly including Burleigh, in half. Every chair, bench or seat singer they were anxious to hear. Black Patti, University of Washington Libraries, Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)..

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