Liederkranz Musical Soiree: 2nd

Full program list.

“The second musical soirée of the Liederkranz Society took place last night at their beautiful hall on Fourth street. The principal feature of the programme was the appearance of a new candidate for musical honors in the person of a soprano named Miss Louisa Orloff. We heard her in one of the most trying of operatic airs, ‘O Luce di Quest’ Anima,’ from Linda. Although her rendering of this great aria betrayed a want of thorough schooling in the vocal gymnastics of the Italian masters, yet it showed that she possessed a superb voice, clear, round and sympathetic tones, such as our concert soprani at present are miserably deficient in, make the singing of Miss Orloff a source of pleasure to the audience, and with more practice and acquaintance with the various schools of singing, there is no doubt but she will add to the renown of our American artists. The ‘Kiss Chorus,’ by Kuntze was splendidly sung by the Maennerchor of the society and Mrs. Balogh, an excellent contralto. Wenzel Kopta, Wedermeyer, alto singer, and the orchestra also appeared in selections from Metzger, Schumann, Weber and Pergolesi.” 

The event was over-crowded. In the opening piece, Paur adjusted the composition for this orchestra very skillfully. The performance of this rather difficult piece could have been better. The chorus seemed insecure, and the alto solo was given only half justice. Mrs. Orloff, who sang the soprano solo and who possesses a pleasant, full and round mezzo-soprano, showed a skillful use of her voice.

The performances of Singer on the Steck grand piano, of Kopta on his violin, and a song sung by Balogh and accompanied by Wedemeyer’s cello received much applause. The Liederkrantz men chorus excelled with their performance of Kuntze’s “Kuss.” In closing, the amateur orchestra proved with the Freischütz overture, it has been working with diligence and eagerness.