Christine Nilsson Matinee: 4th

“As the season of the Nilsson concerts in New York is about to close for the present, there being only two more performances—the matinée on Saturday and the performance on Monday night—we can now sum up the result. The season has been one of unprecedented success, with the exception, perhaps, of the Jenny Lind concerts, some twenty years ago. Indeed it is doubtful if Jenny Lind proved a greater success to the impressario than Nilsson has. The best evidence of the impression Miss Nilsson and the admirable ensemble of artists engaged with her have made upon the public is that Steinway Hall has been as much crowded the last concerts as at the first. We have on several occasions expressed our opinion and the opinion of the public of Miss Nilsson as an artist. Combined with a rich, sweet voice of unusual compass, there is a charm in her bearing and appearance that captivates the audience. Both in the tones of her voice and manner there is an expression of sentiment which touches every heart. These qualities more than extraordinary brilliancy show the secret of her success. Of course she is the great attraction; but the manager has united with her first class artists. It would not be easy to find a better combination for the performances. Brignoli, who is universally acknowledged our first tenor, adds great to the attraction. He is always a favorite. Then there is Miss Annie Louise Cary, a young and charming American, with a well cultivated contralto voice of the finest quality, and with a piquancy and grace that fascinate us. Vieuxtemps, the prince of violinists, touches the feelings and arouses the enthusiasm of the audience as probably no other man can with the violin. Verger is an admirable baritone and Colletti is a fine basso. The quintet on Wednesday night by Nilsson, Cary, Brignoli, Verger and Colletti was superb. Added to all these artists is Miss Krebs, a very fine pianist. With such a galaxy of talent it is not surprising that the Nilsson concerts are so popular. Still the public wants to see Miss Nilsson in opera; for there, it is evident, she would display greater genius and power. Can we not have the pleasure of seeing her in opera? Can not Mr. Strakosch and the stockholders and managers of the Academy of Music come to some terms for the gratification of the public and in the interest of musical art? Or, this failing, cannot the Fisk Opera House be obtained? The opportunity while Miss Nilsson is here this winter ought not to be lost. What say these gentlemen?”

“The Nilsson matinee concert at Steinway Hall yesterday was attended by an audience which crowded the place. The programme presented no trait of special prominence.”