German Ladies’ Society for Widows and Orphans Benefit Concert

“This beautiful and spacious hall was last evening filled to its utmost capacity, the occasion being a grand concert for the benefit of the German Ladies’ Society for Widows and Orphans. Aside from the pleasing satisfaction of contributing to this well deserved charity there was the additional gratification of listening to some of the very finest of vocal and instrumental music as rendered by some of our very finest artists.  Leading the programme was an offertoire in D from Batiste on the organ by Mr. Ernst Eberhard—a piece not only showing the masterly skill of the organist but the extraordinary compass of the instrument. Herr Fred von Inten gave proof of marvelous power of execution on the piano and delicacy of touch very rarely exhibited. He performed two pieces—a ballad in G minor, from Chopin, and ‘Soirées de Vienne’ (d’apres Schubert), from Liszt. Mr. William Candidus, the tenor sang an aria from ‘La Juilve,’ by Halevy. His voice is delicately sweet. He and Mr. Fred Steins, the baritone, sang also a duet from ‘Stradella,’ by Flotow, in which the sweetness and power of their two voices were most artistically and effectively united. Mr. Steins during the evening also sang a solo from the ‘Grenadiers,’ by Reissiger. But the musical gems and specially attractive features of the evening were the performances on his violin by Ole Bull, that sovereign violinist, and singing by Madame Gazzaniga, the favorite prima donna. Ole Bull played two pieces—‘Cantabile Doloroso e Rondo Gracioso,’ his own composition, and the ‘Witches Dance,’ by Paganini. He was in his finest playing mood. Madame Gazzaniga sang andante from ‘Poliuto,’ by Donizetti’ an allegro composed expressly by L. Albites, and ‘E Ver,’ romanza, by Campana. She was in exquisite voice. The concert was a splendid success, artistically and pecuniarily.”

“New York, Feb. 1.—A Grand Charity Concert was given at Steinway Hall, on Friday [i.e., Thursday] evening, and among the artists were Mr. Von Inten and Ole Bull. The former played, for his first solo, Chopin’s Ballade in G minor, op. 23, and did not do it very well. In the Finale he was too hurried and his accentuation was weak and indefinite. He played from memory, which will perhaps account for his omitting several measures at the close of the morceau.Ole Bull played one of his own copositons, and never has his ‘virtuosity’ been as satisfactory to me. His three and four-part playing was simply amazing.  Strange that while this speciality is his peculiar excellence, he does not seem to so regard it, but relies upon the ordinary violin tricks for gaining applause!”