Ole Bull Benefit

“The benefit concert given last evening by Old Bull at Steinway Hall deserved a much larger audience and a more generous support towards those of his troupe whose lot was ill fortune in the late steamboat disaster on the Ohio.  The sight of so many empty seats suggested the question whether aesthetic taste or sympathy for the unfortunate is on the wane.  Yet neither the veteran performer nor his instrument seemed affected in the face of discouraging circumstances.  Ole Bull dashed off a concerto from Mozart with such spirit and vivacity that the critical portion of the audience recognized at once the work of the great master, and bestowed on the performer hearty and repeated applause.  Miss S. W. Barton sang ‘Lascio chio pianga,’ from Handel, with a softness of tone and sweetness of expression that compelled one to wish the piece was longer.  The song, ‘Alice,’ rendered by Mr. William Macdonald, was a combination of boldness and fine sentiment, passion and pathos, that betrayed in the countenance the language of the heart.  Mr. J. N. Pattison, in his piano solo, received a greeting that ever awaits him on similar occasions.  Mr. Gustavus F. Hall sang a canzone, and Miss Barton and Mr. Macdonald a duet.  Messrs. G. W. Morgan and Egbert Lansing presided in turn at the piano.”