Bateman and Harrison Wednesday Popular Concert: 13th

"Wednesday Popular Concert.--The twelfth of Mr. Harrison's extremely agreeable and truly popular concerts takes place to-night at Steinway Hall. Madame Parepa, Mr. S. B. Mills, M. [sic] Carl Rosa and Mr. Theodore Thomas and his fine orchestra are the attractions of the occasion. It would be impossible to find anything better. Of Madame Parepa's great claim as an artiste it is unnecessary to speak. They have been recognised by the public and by every intelligent critic on the Press. Since Jenny Lind she is undoubtedly the best singer we have had in America. To-night she displays her powers to unusual advantage. In Beethoven's grand aria, 'Ah! Perfido,' we hear her in a piece which no mediocre artiste can essay. It may be remembered from last season, and can only be remembered to be admired. As a contrast to this admirable and passionate classic morceau, Mme. Parepa sings a couple of ballads--both of which, we venture to say, will receive a hearty encore. Mr. Mills plays his own 'Murmuring Fountain,' and Liszt's 'Racockzy March.' Mr. Carl Rosa executes a 'Fantasie Fantastique' by Hauser, which we do not remember to have heard before, and other compositions more familiar. The orchestra plays the overture to 'William Tell;' the overture 'Les Charmes du Voyage;' the 'Madeline Waltz,' (by James W. Wehli,) and the 'Quartette and entr'acte' from Martha. It will be seen that the programme, without conceding too much to the public, is strictly popular in its character. We trust sincerely that Mr. Harrison, in his meritorious effort to encourage and elevate public taste, may be properly supported. It is seldom that any one is willing to risk so much for gains that must always be so small."

“A large and distingué audience assembled last night at Steinway Hall to enjoy the twelfth [sic] Wednesday popular concert. The programme comprised orchestral and vocal selections from some of the best composers, and was rendered in a manner that entranced the attention of those fortunately present, who expressed their satisfaction and appreciation by frequent and repeated encores. The overture from William tell and the ballads, ‘I cannot sing the old songs,’ and ‘The bird that came in spring,’ were particularly noticeable. A violin solo by Carl Korn [sic] attracted special attention. The grand scena 'Ah Perfide,' [sic] a most difficult piece was charmingly sung with operatic music.”

“Mr. Harrison has added to the interest of these excellent concerts by securing the services of Mme. Parepa, and Messrs. Mills and Rosa, lately members of the Bateman company. Last evening the first of this series, with the new combination, was given at Steinway Hall before a large audience. Mme. Parepa sang Beethoven’s ‘Ah! Perfido,’ Claribel’s ballad, ‘I cannot sing the old songs,’ and the beautiful song, ‘The bird that came in spring,’ by Benedict, to the great satisfaction of the audience, who insisted on encoring every piece presented. Mr. Mills played very beautifully a caprice of his own composition, and the celebrated ‘Rakoczy March, by Liszt.  Mr. Rosa’s selections were a solo for the violin, by De Beriot, Schumann’s exquisite ‘Evening Song,’ and a caprice by Hauser. He played these pieces in fine taste, and won an encore in each. The orchestra was under the direction of Theodore Thomas, and was, as usual, excellent.”