Carlotta Patti Farwell Concert: 2nd

Brief.

“Miss Patti’s second farewell concert is announced for this evening. In addition to the artists who appeared with her on Wednesday, Signor Ferranti will also assist her.”

“Standing rom only and very little of that was the rule at this admirable artiste’s concert last night. She sang Muzio’s characteristic aria, ‘The Nightingale,’ and Benedict’s ‘Carnival of Venice’ in that clear, brilliant, birdlike tone in which she flings forth her marvelous voice, reveling in unknown regions where scarcely another soprano living can reach her, and for an encore in the first part she ‘dashed’ off the rattling bolero from the ‘Sicilian Vespers.’ Henry Squires, a tenor of high attainments, sang in the opening duet, and afterwards a pretty ballad of Hodson’s in irreproachable style. The vivacious Ferranti trolled out a couple of buffo songs in his own inimitable manner. The deep-voiced Hermanns supplied the place of the organ. Sarasate played a violin fantasia of his own with a clear, broad tone, faultless execution and scholarly style which betokens the true artist; and the pianist, Ritter, gave evidence of his careful, finished, Thalberg school of playing in the duet for violin and piano in themes from ‘William Tell’ and a couple of Litolff’s and Prudent’s little works. It was a thoroughly enjoyable concert throughout, as might be expected from such an assemblage of first class artists.” Closes with announcement for upcoming Patti performance in Die Zauberflöte. “A matinée will be given this afternoon and a sacred concert to-morrow.”

“Despite the restrictions of Lent, the audiences at the Patti concerts are very large and fashionable. Last night Steinway Hall was filled to repletion by a very enthusiastic assemblage of music-lovers. The programme was varied, and generally of a popular nature. Miss Patti sang Muzio’s ‘Nightingale’ and the ‘Carnival de Venice,’ and for encores, the bolero from the ‘Sicilian Vespers’ and a laughing song, in all displaying her astonishing flexibility of voice, and occasionally indulging in the little vocal tricks with which Irma used to delight the patrons of opera bouffe. She also took part with Ferranti in the popular duet from ‘L’Elisir d’Amore.’ In everything she was warmly applauded, and in everything she deserved it.

“Next to Miss Patti, the new violinist Sarasate, a young man who parts his hair in the middle and has a generally romantic appearance, was the great attraction of the evening. He played an exquisite adaptation of the slumber song in ‘Masaniello;’ and with Mr. Ritter a rather ineffective duet on themes from ‘William Tell,’ showing in his performance a refine taste, with exquisite purity and delicacy of tone. Mr. Ritter played a graceful composition of Prudent’s and one or two other selections, and for the encore an atrocious medley of his own, bringing in fragments of ‘Shoo Fly’ and national songs—a composition alike devoid of ingenuity of construction and brilliancy of execution.

“There were three gentleman singers. Mr. Squires was sweet and harmless; Mr. Faranti [sic] boisterously droll in buffo selections; while Mr. Hermann’s heavy voice and heavier style, coming in the programme directly after Carlotta Patti’s vocal fireworks, seemed like a bowl of bean soup following a glass of Champagne.”

“The second of the Patti farewell concerts was given last evening at Steinway Hall.

“The programme was varied and interesting, Mlle. Patti herself singing several of those pieces in which she appears to most advantage, such as muzio’s Nightingale song, Benedict’s brilliant arrangement of the Carnival of Venice, and (with Signor Ferranti) the Duo from Donizetti’s ‘Elisire.’

“The reputation of this admirable vocalist is so thoroughly established, and her abilities so well known, that it is but repeating common rumor to dwell upon her excellencies. The concert was very fully attended.” Briefly announces upcoming Patti performances.