Instrumental and Vocal Concert: Paolo Giorza Benefit

“On Wednesday evening last, at the Musical Hall, corner of Fifth avenue and Fourteenth street, a complimentary concert was given to Professor Giorza, teacher of vocal music, in which he was assisted by Miss Annie and Miss Fanny Powell—daughters of Powell the historical painter—and Miss Maria Pitkin, private pupils; by Madame Phyfe and the Misses S. Burgy, L. E. Burdett, C. O’Connell and Maggie Mahoney, and by the following professional artists:--Madame Camilia Urso, violinist; Signor Massimiliani, tenor; Signor Bellini, baritone; Signor Fassati, basso cantante; Signor Garibaldi, basso, and Signor Alberle, pianist, Giorza conductor. A large and stylish audience was present. The programme opened with a pretty quartet from ‘Campana’ by the two Misses Powell, Miss Burdett and Mrs. Phyfe, the execution of which prepared the house for the success of the whole bill of nineteen different selections. The aria from Verdi’s ‘Attila,’ by Garibaldi, caused the very appropriate remark from a critical lady, ‘There’s a splendid basso lost al fresco.’ ‘The Dream,’ by Camilla Urso on the violin, naturally led to the reflection that if Ole Bull were only a younger man, and all other considerations were harmonious to this end, what a match this Urso (we are almost tempted to say this charming Ursa Major on the fiddle) would be for the great Norwegian. Giorza’s ‘Ripeti che m’ami’ was neatly given by Miss F. Powell, and the closing quartetto from Verdi (that diamond brooch of ‘Rigoletto’) by Miss F. Powell. Mrs. Phyfe, Massimiliani and Bellini, made the welkin ring with the echoes of the old Academy. In part second, in the romanza from ‘Mattei’ ‘Non è ver,’ Miss F. Powell fairly earned the enthusiastic recall of the house, as in ‘L’Elisir d’Amore’ did Miss Fanny and Fossati.  Giorza’s ‘Nightingale Polka’ by Miss Burdett, was neatly and delicately rendered, as was ‘La Stella’ by Miss Pitkin, and the duetto from Ricci’s ‘Chiara of Rosenberg,’ sung publicly for the first time in America, as done by Fossati and Garibaldi, was as inspiring as the rattling rigmarole of ‘Figaro’ or le gallant sparkles of ‘La Belle Hélène.’ The chorus by the company, the finale of ‘Ernani,’ given with a will, ended the pleasant entertainment. From this test of his pupils Giorza had every reason to rejoice with them over the cake and wine.”