Harrison Sunday Concert: 23th

“Sunday Concert at Steinway Hall.—The Twenty-third grand Sunday concert at Steinway Hall was very largely attended and brought out the new and excellent troupe, consisting of [lists names of performers and program]…Rizzo’s ‘Salve Maria’ and ‘Ah! Mon fils,’ both of which were splendidly sung by Madame Gazzaniga, and a Verdian air for Ardvani. The concert was a success in every respect and bore testimony to the merits of the artists engaged in it. The same troupe will appear during the coming week at the principal cities in New England, and it is seldom that the provincial towns hear such a combination of artists.”

“An exceedingly good programme was provided last evening at Steinway Hall, on the occasion of the twenty-third Sunday Concert. It opened with a fine selection from ‘Die Geschoepfe des Prometheus, by Beethoven; a work unknown until now. The great master was apparent in every bar. He received full justice at the hands of the orchestra. Signor Ardavani, a well-known baritone, followed. He sang with a fresh, melodious voice, and with complete knowledge of his art. There are few singers who know it better. M. Leopold de Meyer played with his usual brilliancy and obtained his customary number of encores.  The interest of the occasion centered mainly on Mme. Gazzaniga, a lady whose name is remembered with affection by all opera-goers. Mme. Gazzaniga is one of the few truly great dramatic singers who have visited this country. Her style is large, and her voice abundant. She sings with ease, and phrases with the genius of a thorough Italian. The ‘Salve Maria’ was a revelation of what intelligence and art can accomplish when combined with earnest feeling. We have no recollection of ever having heard a piece more accurately delivered.  It obtained, as a matter of course, an encore. The lady was thrice called before the audience. Her addition to the forces of the Sunday concerts is an important event of the season.”