Farewell Concert

Cellist’s farewell to America, prior to his departure for Europe.

“If we have had to deplore the absence of opera this winter and spring, our compensation has been in a long and varied series of concerts, in which the talents of our best artists have been conspicuously displayed. The opera is a luscious luxury, which, from necessity, turns on a golden pivot, and its prices are so interwoven with a surplus of blanks that the boldest manager will at times quail before the financial disasters which so generally follow in its wake. The concert is more simple in its arrangements, more easily handled, more easily constructed and dissolved, and though not always a success, a failure is not so fatal or so much to be dreaded. It is not a matter of surprise, then, if it can live on a less fruitful soil than the opera.

Mr. Charles Werner, one of our most worthy and accomplished artists, gave, at Association Hall last evening, a memorable, and, we are sorry to say, a farewell concert, prior to his departure for Europe. During his sojourn in this country, great success and warm applause have greeted him everywhere, and no artist has been more ready or zealous in raising up and sustaining other artists less fortunate than himself.

In addition to an orchestra of thirty-five persons, the talents of seven well known artists were employed in his concert of last evening. As might be expected from the refined taste and musical knowledge of Mr. Werner, the programme comprised ten pieces as remarkable for their merit as for their appropriateness.

The excellence of the orchestra was clearly seen in the effective and happy manner in which it rendered, at the opening of the first part, the overture to ‘La Muette de Portici,’ and at that of the second, the overture to ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor.’ Miss Ida Rosenburgh, the naturally gifted pupil of Signor Achille Errani, sang an air from ‘L’Africaine’ and one from ‘Linda’ with all the grace, simplicity and executive ability so noticeable in one so young. What with the cultivation she is destined to receive in Europe, and the happy effects of its climate on her voice and general constitution, we shall not be surprised to welcome her back as the equal of the best of our native artists. She was so warmly applauded last evening as to be obliged to sing two airs in addition to those on the programme.

Mr. Remmertz gave two of his favorite songs, one from Mendelssohn and the other from Schumann. What the real merits of Mr. Von Inten may be as a pianist we are not prepared at present to say, but his rendering of the airs from ‘Sonnambula’ was as foreign to the beautiful musical spirit of Bellini as it could possibly be. The sweet tender melody of the composer evaporated through the twitching and metallic touch of the interpreter. Mr. Hamm is a well cultivated violinist, and manipulated his instrument skillfully and effectively. The musical volume of De Beriot lost nothing of its fair and symmetrical proportions in his well-trained hands last evening.

The three pieces assigned to Mr. Werner himself were executed with consummate art and in his happiest manner. The adagio religioso was plaintively solemn and enabled him to evolve some of the most beautiful sounds of his instrument. The Rondo Militaire was secularly gay, with tripping motion aria, and a musical dash which Mr. Werner traced with vivacity and force. The Polacca Guerriera was another musical triumph for him, and completely carried away the audience. In the Carnival de Cuba Mr. Werner showed very favorably as a composer as well as an interpreter.

We are sorry to part with him, as he will leave a blank in the concert room as well as a void in the hearts of his many friends. To his fine qualities as a musician he joins the quiet manners of a gentleman and a thorough knowledge of a man of the world. Let us hope that the free air of our country will ere long bring him to our shores again, and restore him to the choir of accomplished musicians which adorn our art world.” 

“Mr. Charles Werner, the distinguished violoncellist, gave a concert on Monday evening at Association Hall. He had the assistance of Miss Ida Rosenburg, Mr. Charles Hamm, Mr. Von Inten, Mr. Remmertz, and an excellent orchestra. Mr. Werner’s own performance had all the artistic power and finish which he has accustomed the public to expect from him. It would be difficult to find a more accomplished and satisfactory artist than he. Mr. Hamm gave the seventh concerto of De Beriot with exquisite delicacy of execution and sentiment. Miss Rosenburg renewed the very favorable impression which she had previously made upon the public. She has a pleasing person and manner, a fine voice, and already sings with a facility and correctness that give great promise of future excellence. We listened to Mr. Von Inten’s performance of Liszt’s fantasia on ‘Sonnambula’ with much pleasure. The artist has made great progress since we last heard him. Altogether this was one of the most enjoyable concerts of the season.”