Jenny Landsman Concert

“Young Californian Prima Donna”

“Miss Jenny Landsman made her début last night before a fairly filled house. She has a charming mezzo soprano voice of the purest quality of tone and a good deal of artistic training. She sang the everlasting ‘O mio Fernando,’ from ‘Favorita,’ and, as encore, Kathleen Mavourneen.’ Miss Landsman will undoubtedly prove a welcome addition to the concert hall. She was assisted by Signora Antonie [sic] de Bosio, a pianist of moderate ability; Wenzel Kopta, violinist; Severini, the favorite tenor, and Fortuna, the well known baritone.”

“Last evening Miss Jenny Landsman, a young contralto from San Francisco, made her first appearance here at Steinway Hall, and met with very cordial reception.”

“Miss JENNY LANDSMAN’S concert at Steinway Hall, last evening, had a lighter audience than its general merits deserved.  The debutante was kindly received, and the announcement made upon the programme that she was suffering from indisposition, and therefore asked the indulgence of the public, was agreeably observed.  In obedience to that plea we shall reserve any remarks upon Miss LANDSMAN’S abilities until she shall again appear.  Mr. WENZER KOPTA gave VIEUXTEMP’S [sic] “Air Varie” in the spirit of which that eccentric violinist has made himself known.  Sig. LEVERINI’S romanza from Verdi’s ‘Luisa Miller,’ was one of the most satisfactory performances this tenor has given.  Signora ANTALIE DE BOSIO made her debut as a pianist on this occasion, also.”

The youthful singer possesses a beautiful [vocal] instrument and made a favorable impression.

“Miss Jenny Landsman, the California prima donna, made her first appearance at Steinway Hall on Friday evening. Despite the unfavorable weather, the Hall was well filled. The singing of Miss Landsman created a favorable impression. Her rendering of Donizetti’s cavatina, ‘O mio Fernando,’ was slightly marred by a pardonable nervousness of manner and execution, but the aria, ‘O mio figlio,’ from Meyerbeer’s Prophete, was creditably sung, and drew strong manifestations of approval from the audience. The upper registers of her voice are sweet and full. Her lower notes are cold and almost unpleasant, apparently betokening a want of expression and cultivation. She was evidently suffering from indisposition, and deserves credit for not disappointing the public by a postponement of the concert. Miss Landsman sang ‘Kathleen Mavoureen’ and other popular ballads in answer to encores. Signora Antalie de Bosio gave Liszt’s Ernani paraphrase and Beethoven’s ‘Sonata Pathetique,’ Opus 11 [13], on the piano, with a delicacy of touch and firmness of execution quite remarkable, but the chief feature of the evening’s entertainment was the violin playing of Mr. Wenzer  Kopta, whose rendering of Vieuxtemp’s airs and Paganini’s adagio compositions was greeted with [illeg.] applause, worthily bestowed.”

Miss Landemann, a singer from California of German origin, gave a well attended concert at Steinway Hall and was successful. She possesses a beautiful mezzo soprano which is almost an alto with a lot of potential. The young woman clearly still has much to learn; however, she seems diligent and energetic and deserves much encouragement. Severini makes a much better impression than before, yet his repertory needs improvement.