Music Trade Review

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February 5th, 1881.
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
could not be thoroughly enjoyable. Only a few words may be added about
"Mignon,"an opera which was given last Thursday by the Abbott troupe
for the first time this winter. We have had so many excellent representations
EOSTER & BIAL'S CONCERT HALL.
of Thomas' opera in New York, that any management might be supposed to
E. P. S. GTLMORE began a series of concerts with his military band bestow the greatest care upon its peformance here. The management of the
at Koster & Bial's place on Twenty-third street on Sunday, Jan. 23d., Abbott troupe did nothing of the kind. The orchestra was composed of some
and will remain at the hall as long as business warrants the continuance of twenty men, including some of doubtful character. The absence of the
these concerts. The first week co^^ld not be considered a fair criterion in bassoons was felt, but on the other hand, we heard a big B flat tuba and
regard to the attractive powers of the band, as the young violinist, Maurice now and then some chords on the piano. May be the absence of the bas-
soons was not felt by everybody, but to us it seemed very funny, when in
Dengremont, was re-engaged and was the chief attraction.
Sunday last the young Brazilian violinist performed at Koster & Bial's the polacca, flute and clarinet played their little phrases, and then when the
for the last time, and it remains to be seen whether the habitues of the place bassoons' turn came silence ruled in the camp of the musicians. A harp, of
will be pleased with the j>erformances of a military band alone during an course, did not exist, and old Lothario had to get along the best he could
entire evening. We consider it out of place in a hall of limited dimensions. without one. Mr. Peakes sang Lothario, and badly enough; this gentleman
It is true that Mr. Gil more has toned down the vigorous attack of the brass should not be cast for serious parts; his upper tones have no brilliancy at all
and filled up the gap in harmonies by means of saxaphones; thus the sound and are of a heavy and dull character. We may say the same of Castle,
is somewhat softened, but it is still too strong and becomes noisy and the tenor, who sang Wilhelm ; but tenors are scarce, and especially tenors
for English opera, and Mr. Castle is a splendid actor, and can thus make up
monotonous.
for his vocal deficiencies. Mile. Maurel was Frederick, and Mr. Stoddard
Mr. Gilmore's band is an excellent one, but, after all, a military band gave
both singers did their best to do justice to their respective
cannot be made equal to a string orchestra, and is not in its element in a parts, Laertes;
neither had histrionic abilities enough to make them character-
small concert hall. This statement must not be taken as a reproach to Mr. istic. although
Mme. Julie Rosewald gave the role of Filina. She is undoubtedly the
Giltnore, who has done all in his power to bring the band to its present best artist
of the troupe, Ave may say, an artist that deserved better sur-
state of excellence.
The flexibility of her voice is astonishing, and her execution is
On Sundays the band's noise is somewhat subdued by the thousands of roundings.
We are sorry to add that the timbre of her organ is uneven and
people who crowd the hall. A crowded hall is not, however, to be expected faultless.
every night, and the clientele of the place on week days suffers for the sake often harsh ; light voices frequently show such defects.
of that on the Sunday.
Miss Emma Abbott sang Mignoa in her own way, but we prefer Mon-
Mr. Gihnore has a band of about forty members, well drilled and care- sieur Thomas' way, it is hardly necessary to add. Miss Abbott has some
fully rehearsed; his old soloists, who are known from former years, are all nice tones in her throat, but her style of singing is so full of mannerisms
with him. including Signor Eaffayolo (euphonium), De Carlo (piccolo), and and eccentricities, that it becomes inartistic, we may even be allowed to call
Lefebre (saxaphone). Mr. Walter Emerson is the cornet virtuoso, who it disgusting. Her cadenzas sound as if they were made in a cobbler's shop,
seems to have taken Levy's place in Mr. Gilmore's concerts. Mr. Emerson nothing but patchwork of the commonest kind; she tears the phrases
is a young man of talent; his tone is good, his execution is fair. If New assunder, and drags them along at will, without any regard to the com-
Yorkers were not spoiled in regard to cornet playing, Mr. Emerson would poser's ideas. If such is opera singing, Emma Abbott is indeed a great
artist, but in that case all the other prime donne must be considered very
find it very easy to make fast friends here.
inferior.
The Abbott Company at present performs at the Chestnut Street Opera
CHICEERING HALL.
House, Philadelphia, and will not return to New York this season.
FKEDEBIC AKOHEli's ORGAN AND PIANO EECITAL.
R. Frederic Archer gave an organ and piano recital at Chickering Hall
THE AMPHION MUSICAL SOCIETY.
on the afternoon of Saturday, Jan. 22, before a small, but very select
audience. Mr. Archer was formerly an organist and musical director at the
HE Amphion Musical Society gave their first concert at the Bedford
the Alexandra Palace, London, and musical examiner in the University of
Avenue Reformed Church, Brooklyn, on Thursday evening, Jan. 27th.
Glasgow, He arrived here only a few weeks ago, evidently with the idea of The society was formed some months ago, and their object is to foster
settling in America. Although his views for the future may not be clearly sociability in general and music in particular. The club rooms are very
defined, the programme of the recital informed us, that he "is prepared to elegant, and are well attended by the members of the society. The follow-
receive a limited number of advanced pupils during his visit to this coun- ing officers superintend the affairs of the Amphion Society: President,
try "; this announcement means that Mr. Archer's principal object will be Richard. Walsh; Vice-presidents, Wm. O. Sumner, Rev. Almon Gunnison,
to teach in New York, and his stay in this country will be regulated by the Benjamin W. Wilson, and Rev. Y. Peyton Morgan; Secretary, W. M. Sey-
number of applicants responding to the announcement on the programme. mour; Financial Secretary, Robert *W. Butler; Treasurer, A. F. Gray;
If Mr. Archer can find in America what he desires, we hardly imagine he Librarians, M. H. Leonard "and H. McDougal; Director, Prof. C. Mortimer
will think of returning to England. The announcement may read very ele- Wiske.
gantly, but the whole truth of the matter seems to be, that the English
The first concert of the society met with a great success. Every seat in
musician wants to find out, whether American soil is not more lucrative to the church
was filled. A large platform had been erected over the pulpit to
the professional man than the ground of the United Kingdom, and as Mr. accommodate
chorus, which numbered about forty male voices. The
Archer is an excellent musician, we hope that he will find it is so, and concert opened the
with Abt's ' 'At Early Morning,'' which was heartily applauded;
remain among us.
but it is only just to remark that the capability of the society showed to
The matinee was given by Mr. Archer to introduce himself to the Amer- much better advantage in Lachner's " Hymn to Music," Veit's ' ' Fair Roth-
ican public, or better to the professional men of our metropolis. We saw traut," and Mendelssohn's " Vintage Song." The latter, taken from the
several of our leading pianists and organists among the audience, which unfinished opera, "Lurline," was especially admired. The conductor of
followed the new-corner's performances with close interest. Mr. Archer is the society, Professor Wiske, is a musician of talent and refined taste.
an organist of remarkable ability; he treats the organ in a masterly manner,
Miss Hattie Louise Simms sang several selections from various com-
and is an artist on this instrument. He rendered among many other works posers with a clear voice, which is remarkably powerful in the upper notes.
a " Prelude " and "Fugue," by JohannSebastian Bach, with taste and clear- The young tenor, Mr. Theodore Toedt, sang the "Romanza" from "Mig-
ness of phrasing, and showed a rare skill in treating the pedal. After hav- non " and songs by Abt and Rubinstein with delicate expression. Miss
ing given these proofs of his talents, Mr. Archer cannot fail to obtain a posi- Florence Copleston, the pianist, although giving occasional signs of lack of
tion in one of our largest churches, especially in a congregation which pre- finish and depth, made her playing attractive through the electric vigor of
fers genuine organ playing to mere showy exhibition. As a pianist Mr. her touch and abandon of her phrasing. Mr. Robert Thallon, Jr., acted as
Archer is less remarkable. He performs on the piano with that amount of accompanist in an efficient manner.
English respectability, which is praiseworthy, but lacks in stirring qualities.
Altogether the whole concert must be pronounced a great success and
His technique is developed, but not clear, and the constant use of the pedal source
of satisfaction to the members of the Amphion Society.
gives his phrases an indistinct sound. Nevertheless, you cannot fail to
recognize even in his piano playing the excellent musician. We refrain
STEINWAY HALL.
from judging Mr. Archer's abilities as a composer, having only heard a few
ISS Eugenie Simonson gave a piano recital in the afternoon of Jan.
pieces, which may not give the right impression of his talent. Miss Emma
20th, with the assistance of Mr. Richard Arnold (violinist) and Mr.
S. Howe from Boston sang at the matinee; she has a fine voice and should
Miron A. Ward (accompanist). The young lady studied in Europe for several
study assiduously in order to become a good concert singer.
years under renowned masters, and returned shortly to her native land,
whether to take part in professional duties or to retire into private life was
HAVERLY'S FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE.
not stated. Miss Simonson is a fair specimen of young ladies who study
seriously abroad without attaining that degree of greatness which makes the
ABBOTT OPERA COMPANY.
HE Emma Abbott Opera Company came to New York, gave within future of their professional career particularly bright. Miss Simonson, if
two weeks sixteen performances, and left again to continue its itiner- she intends to teach, will surely find pupils, especially when backed by a
ant season in other places. Our people may feel the loss deeply, though large acquaintance. She may occasionally appear in some miscellaneous
they are hardened to such a degree that they do not show their innermost concerts, but there her public career will end; and it remains a question
feelings. Their souls may weep, but their eyes are laughing. We take whether such an outlook is worth the trouble and expense of going to Europe
things very easily here. No excitement at all about Emma Abbott; we and studying there for several years. Talented girls can learn in New York
stood the two weeks' performances like heroes and martyrs, did not complain just as much, and avoid pretentious appearance "after her studies abroad."
Miss Simonson may be, for all we know, a very rich girl; and of course, if
that the troupe came, and have no reason to complain now it has gone.
The management of the company seems to be satisfied with its success; such be the case, she is fully entitled to gratify her fancies and freaks. We
at least James Morrissey's brightly smiling face indicated a financial victorv; do not wish to insinuate that the lady is a bad performer on the piano; on
the best proof that Miss Emma Abbott's old friends remained true to her. the contrary, she has many excellent qualities which are praiseworthy. But
That these friends do not belong to the musical authorities of our city, is of among so much piano playing as is going on here this winter, we long for
more than the mere virtuoso style of schoolroom exhibitions, and are no
no consequence to her or her manager.
satisfied with bare technical displays. Miss Simonson played works
The repertoire of the short season included "Martha," " Bohemian longer
from Beethoven down to Liszt, comprising most of the heroes of piano
Girl," "Faust," " Fra Diavolo," "Chimes of Normandy," "Lucia," " Mig- literature.
non " and '' Paul and Virginia." Two other operas were promised:'' Maritana "
Mr. Saalfield gave on Monday evening, Jan. 24th, a ballad concert,
and Gounod's " Komeo and Juliette," but neither was given, and we think
that the withdrawal is due to lack of rehearsals. If a company performs which he called "A Sullivan Concert." Mr. Saalfield evidently understands
eight times a week, rehearsals become almost an impossibility, unless the his clientele, for the hall was crowded on the occasion. The name of " Sulli-
members of the troupe declare themselves willing to live on one meal a day. van Concert" may appear somewhat odd, as only a few ballads of the
To speak of each individual performance we consider useless, as the English composer were on the programme; but as Mr. Saalfield invents his
performances were not remarkable in any degree. Some very good singers, titles for the sake of a display of posters, he is justified. He could have
a decent chorus and a wretched orchestra made an ensemble, which at best called the concert " Brignoli Night," as the veteran tenor was announced as
MUSICAL PERFORMANCES.
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