Benefit Concert for the Sufferers of the War in France

“WEBER’S PIANO ROOMS—SOIREE MUSICALE.—A very interesting musical soirée, for the benefit of the victims of the war in France, was given last night at Weber’s piano warerooms on Fifth avenue. A large audience was in attendance, and Mme. Clara M. Brinkerhoff, soprano; Mlle. Celestine Gottschalk, pianist; Miss Thompson, contralto; Mme. Filomeno Salcedo, violinist; Mr. G. Hall, baritone, and Mr. S. P. Warren, conductor, lent their valuable services for this laudable purpose. The programme comprised selections from Donizetti, Alard, Gottschalk, Meyerbeer, Balfe, Hauser, Ganz, Randegger and Pacini, and was in general very well received. Miss Gottschalk proved herself an accomplished artist, and did full justice to her lamented brother’s works. It would seem, from her playing, that she possesses a considerable share of that talent that has made the name of Gottschalk known wherever music is cherished and respected.”

“A cluster of accomplished artists gave last evening at Weber’s pleasant rooms, in the Fifth avenue, a concert for the benefit of the French victims of the war. We are glad to see our artists prompted by such kind and humane feelings. For this concert the sufferers are especially indebted to Mme. Clara M. Brinkerhoff and Miss Celestine Gottschalk. The rooms were crowded with some of our best people, who listened attentively and applauded with discrimination.

“Madame Brinkerhoff sang with great effect, was warmly received, and repeatedly called upon for repetition, to which she yielded, very gracefully.

“Miss Celestine Gottschalk played successfully two compositions of her lamented brother, the ‘Tremolo’ and ‘Le Cri de Deliverance.’ Though not the best pieces for the concert room she executed them with taste, skill, and knowledge of their striking peculiarities. There is a melancholy pleasure in listening to the great composer’s compositions drop freshly from the fingers of his sister.

“Miss Sara E. Thompson is quite an interesting young lady, with a rich and mellow contralto voice. With a little more training she is sure to make a sensation. Her ballad, ‘Janet’s Choice,’ was well sung, took the audience by surprise, and was repeatedly applauded.

“Mme. Philomena Salsedo [sic] has very great control over the violin. She is an interesting person, and her apparent as well as announced illness last evening gave her a hold on the sympathies of the audience. She played the ‘L’Oiseau sur arbrie’ [sic] with a delicacy and perception of shadings which is strikingly peculiar to an accomplished female artist.

“Mr. Hall sang well, and is becoming very popular. Mr. Warren, the accompanist, did his part most admirably, and drew from Weber’s fine piano all the superior qualities for which it is becoming so popular.”

“A musical entertainment, given in aid of the sufferers by the war in Europe, took place at the Weber Rooms, on Monday evening, in presence of a numerous audience. Mme. CLARA M. BRINKERHOFF sang with wonted skill. Miss CELESTINE GOTTSCHALK played two of the compositions of her lamented brother. Mme. FILOMENO SALCEDO, who was lately a young violinist of promise, but is now almost a great artist, executed two solos on the most expressive of instruments, and Miss SARA E. THOMPSON and Signor GUSTAVUS HALL contributed to the vocal part of the bill.”