Venue(s):
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
16 October 2022
“On Wednesday next Madame Parepa and Mr. Carl Rosa will sail for England, bearing with them the hearts of the American public. Many a singer has won abundant popularity and wealth in the United States since this country became recognized as a legitimate field for musical enterprise, but none has ever endeared herself in such a peculiarly personal manner to her audiences as the accomplished and marvelous woman who is now about to leave us. When her handsome jovial face appears upon the stage, a smile of pleasure always runs around the hall. When the notes of that divine voice fall upon the ear every face settles into a look of content, and every musical want seems satisfied. We suppose Parepa must have left, scattered all over this continent, from New-England to San Francisco, about two or three million personal friends, who never spoke to her in their lives and never expect to. She has been everywhere. She has conquered the most distant territories. She has turned even an Overland Stage Coach into a triumphal chariot, and carried her glorious song from Boston to the Great Salt Lake. What has she not done during her extraordinary American career? She tossed over a few English ballads, and we found in them a rare beauty we had never suspected. She tried oratorio, and the spirit of the old composers filled her, and she gave such voice to their grandeur that we hardly tolerate Handel now from any mouth but hers. Jubilees put her to the test, but she went on conquering. Ten thousand sang against her, cannon thundered at her side, five hundred musicians played their very loudest, and still above the multitudinous din soared that beautiful voice. Then she turned to the neglected opera, and straightway, with the best English company ever heard in this country, gave us masterpieces we never knew before, and added fresh leaves to her laurel crown. Mr. Rosa meanwhile has become recognized as one of the ablest of musicians, managers, and instrumental conductors, and shares with his wife the enviable reputation of keeping faith with the public and telling the truth—even on play-bills.
“It is not the intention of Madame Rosa to sing during her visit to the native country, and all offers of an engagement have been refused. She will devote the Summer to repose—for even with her extraordinary strength and vitality a little recuperation will not be amiss; and next season it is her purpose to be with us once more. With whatever plans she may come, whether the concert room, the oratorio, the English or Italian stage list her services, she will be affectionately welcomed in all parts of America.”