Harrison’s Grand Concert: 5th

“The sixth [i.e., fifth; no evidence of a performance on 10/24/67] of the Thursday Concerts was given at Steinway Hall last evening, to an audience which not only occupied every seat in the immense place, but was content to stand, in large numbers, wherever it could obtain foothold. The programme contained ten numbers, which were divided between Mme. PAREPA-ROSA, M. CARL ROSA, M. DE MEYER and Mr. THOMAS’ Orchestra—the latter, as usual, having the lion’s share of the work. M. ROSA was heard at agreeable duty in VIEUXTEMP’S ‘Ballade and Polonaise,’ MOESER’S fantasie on ‘Der Frieschutz,’ [sic] and encores enough to help out another concert; while Mme. PAREPA-ROSA, who was named for two pieces, was obliged to make it five before the audience would be content to let go. For an encore to the scena from WEBER’S ‘Der Frieschutz’ [sic] she gave ‘Sweet Spirit Hear My Prayer,’ and, for the double recall after the new song, ‘Tripping Through the Meadows,’ she was kind enough not to repeat that exceedingly tame novelty, and sang instead, ‘Five O’Clock in the Morning,’ and the little lyrical story of the bashful damsel who directed her letter to the ‘One She Loved Most Faithfully,’ and was surprised at not getting a reply. Mr. MOLLOY’S new song, which Mme. PAREPA introduced at this concert, is rather unworthy her magnificent capacity, and we can only liken the effect of her delivery of it to the appearance of Mr. EDWIN BOOTH in an insignificant vaudeville. It is surprising, though, that with such a voice to inspire them, living composers have not written more ballads or loftier pieces for Mme. PAREPA. Certainly, if her quality of talent was to be found on the dramatic stage, dramatists would not be slow to avail themselves of its immense value. Mr. DE MEYER repeated two of his already familiar compositions, and then, for encores, two more. MEYERBEER’S ‘Fackeltanz’ was the finale, and was well performed by the orchestra, but with nothing like the effect, of course, which it created when given here in the ‘festival week’ last Summer.

After the concert last evening, Mme. PAREPA was serenaded at her hotel by the full Seventh Regiment Band, and on appearing at the window to acknowledge it, was further surprised by the very enthusiastic, popular reception which she received by the immense crowd assembled out-doors.”

"Madame Parepa-Rosa was in fine voice last night for her farewell concert, and the hall was well filled with an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. She gave the well known prayer and cavatina from Der Freyschutz with all her wonted delicacy and force, and in response to am imperative encore sang ‘Sweet Spirit, hear my Prayer.’ An English song by Molloy, ‘Tripping through the Meadows,’ which she gave later in the evening, was rendered with fine taste, but it is merely a display piece, barren of musical inspiration. It was good for this, however, that it received applause enough to obtain in response ‘Five o’clock in the Morning,’ and another English ballad. Mr. Carl Rosa’s part in the programme consisted of a Ballad and a Polonaise by Vieuxtemps, and Moeser’s fantasia on Der Freyschutz, both which to our minds are rather trivial, although they afford abundant opportunity for the display of the performer’s skill. The latter received the deserved compliment of an encore. Mr Leopold de Meyer met with a rousing welcome, playing first an A revoir or his own—a graceful little piece—and for an encore his wonderful arrangement of the Carnival of Venice. In both these, as well as in the grand fantasia on Norma, which he gave later, he kept us entranced by his wonderful mastery of clear silvery tones and the admirable distinctness with which he preserves that air in the midst of the most brilliant variations. Mr. de Meyer must let us hear him often, for it will be long before we hear his equal.  Mr. Thomas’s orchestra gave us Mendelssohn’s Ruy Blas overture, the Fackeltanz by Meyerbeer, the overture to Mozart’s Le Nozzi di Figaro, and the ballet from Gounod’s La Reine de Sabat and gave them with care and expression, as is the wont of Mr. Thomas’s orchestra. The Ballet is a very graceful composition in five movements, the most striking of which are a dreamy Arab revery [sic] and a spirited final waltz. This is announced as the last of Mr. Harrison’s series of concerts, but we trust he will be persuaded to open a new one on the return of his artists from Boston. They have been so good to us that we shall miss them sadly.  After the concert Madame Parepa received some of her hosts of friends at her rooms in the Belvidere House, and was serenaded by the 7th Regiment band.

Madame Parepa-Rosa, the gifted Prima Donna, was tendered a complimentary serenade by Grafulla’s Seventh Regiment Band, and also a supper, by Manager Lafayette Harrison, last evening. Both were farewell offerings, given before the Madame’s departure from this city, to fulfill engagements at Boston and elsewhere.”