Jenny Busk Farewell Concert

“Miss Jenny Busk and Messrs. De Meyer, Wenzel Kopta, W. J. Hill and G. W. Colby appeared at this hall last night, before a very slim audience. The performance consisted of selections from Mozart, Glover, Dancla, Kucken, Tartini, De Lieben, Venzano, De Meyer and Al[illeg.] Miss Busk’s voice is a pure, sympathetic soprano, of very moderate power, yet always fresh and pleasing.  Some of the brilliant passages in the Venzano waltz, however, were not given by her with sufficient clearness, and a tendency to sing flat was painfully perceptible.  De Meyer played his Cossack dance—a piece in which it would seem that the technical difficulties possible for a pianist’s fingers are crowded—in his usually dashing style.  Few pianists of the present day can compare with him in exquisite touch and completeness of technique. We cannot accord the same praise to his compositions, which, with two or three exceptions, are entirely unworthy of such fingers as his. The ‘Grand Duchess’ fantasia is a notable example in support of this assertion.”

“IRVING HALL.—Miss JENNY BUSK gave her farewell concert at this establishment last evening, prior to a contemplated tour in that dismal place known as the Provinces. There was a discriminating, but not an important audience. At this season of the year, when people are bent on other festivities than those furnished at places of amusement, the chances are always bad. But the courage of concert-givers is unyielding. There is no falling off in the programme. On the contrary, as the times get worse, the attractions invariably increase. This was certainly the case last evening, when an excellent selection of pieces and a capital number of artists were on the bill. The lady herself has a charming voice, thoroughly cultivated in the best schools, and entirely under her control. It is not deficient in power, and in compass is equal to all the requirements of the concert-room, and ever of a larger arena. The lady’s taste is perfect, and she sings the most complicated pieces with ease and exquisite taste. We have not had such a thoroughly accomplished vocalist for many years, and on her return we doubt not that she will awaken the best interest and enthusiasm of the public. She certainly deserves both.

“Here LEOPOLD DE MEYER played his pieces with the usual result—a double encore for each. His arrangement from the ‘Grand Duchess’ is delicately yet ingeniously made, and it is performed with remarkable skill. No one can boast of a better touch than Mr. DE MEYER. It is the rarest and most attractive gift. Mr. KOPTA and Mr. HILL assisted in their usual excellent and artistic manner.”