Venue(s):
Apollo Hall
Conductor(s):
P. A. Rivarde
Price: $1.00
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
21 November 2021
“Joanna and Willie Hess gave a concert at Apollo Hall last Saturday evening, when they ought to have been asleep in their cribs. We do not like public exhibitions of juvenile precocity. They are bad for the children in every way—morally, physically, and artistically—and however they may excite the wonder of the audience they can give no pleasure to judicious spectators. These little children are pretty and bright—as yet—and they have decided talent. Joanna plays the piano with astonishing power and intelligence for a child so young, and Willie does wonders with a violin, on which his touch is good and firm and his execution generally correct. They have been well taught, and if the forcing process does not destroy them they will probably become artists. Their father with the viola, and Mr. Popper with the violoncello, joined them on Saturday in a quartett, and they also played several pieces together. Among the other artists who took part in the performance were Miss Henrietta Beebe, Mr. Rivarde, and Mrs. Jenny Kempton, who sings this season much better than she ever did before. Her voice is clearer and her style more natural.”