Sound of music

Florence Foster Jenkins..... Not many around the world know her; probably not even many of her own countrymen today......but once upon a time, she was a famous American soprano. Hers is a tale of faith, passion, love (of herself and her music) and a strong will. Jenkins was tone deaf!!! Yes, she could not hear the music like we do... she did not know that her pitch was not right. But love she did, to sing. She wanted to sing from a very early age. But her apparent lack of talent/ ability (!) made her parents to stop her from exploring any further. She was prohibited from taking music lessons. When her parents died, she inherited quite some wealth that gave her the freedom and opportunity to do something that she had been long yearning to do..... to pursue music. Later in her life (as late as 60 years) she made her public debut. Initially it was a small affair at the parties with friends... She was no better at the art even now. But her friends had fun at her cost.. They encouraged her for the pure entertainment. But Jenkins was convinced that she was a musical genius and that her audience loved her. She then hired an accompanist- a concert piano player, Cosme' McMoon. Though Cosme' was uncomfortable to play with her for apparent reasons, he agreed to do so for survival. There was no stopping Jenkins after that. She became a celebrity. Every one wanted to hear her. She made album records and sang at important occasions. To crown it all, she was invited to sing at the Carnegie Hall..... that was her masterpiece performance, if you could call it so.. The tickets were sold out weeks before and people were all excited. She entertained them.. they laughed at her.. they applauded to mask their laughter, they became hysterical...it was over. She died one month later.. but she died with a happy heart, happy of the music that she made. She never once doubted her talent and her ability to melt hearts.


Well, the story ends there. But I have questions; of the nature and attitude of people who heard her and applauded her. ...of their cruelty.. and of her naivety. Every person has a right to sing, to believe they are good at it and to be heard... I do not question that. But what kind of society would encourage a person with a lack of ability and have fun at her cost? What kind of society would make her believe that they were overjoyed while they were actually laughing at her and what kind of society would clap just to mask the laughter and ask for more???? Jenkins was a happy soul. So the question of her being affected doesn't arise. But the question is entirely of how cruel our society can get. We can make anybody a clown, put them in the ring and have fun. How long will it be until its our turn???
All this started with a play called souvenir. It was on the life of Foster Jenkins. The lady who played her part was brilliant... She got a standing ovation. Kudos to the team. This was the best ever. It made me appreciate certain things more subtle in life. Thanks to them for this realization.

For more on Jenkins click here

For more about the play click here