Matinee Musicale: 3rd

“As we anticipated from the beginning, these musical entertainments have become a popular institution. We do not say for a moment that the very fashionable assemblage that filled Booth’s theatre yesterday to its utmost seating capacity was attracted thither by any peculiar merit that Mr. Wehli possesses above all other pianists (for we have his superiors here), but can only attribute it to the very clever management that inaugurated these matinées. The programme yesterday was somewhat stronger than usual. The piano works were Wehli’s ‘Traviata,’ ‘Faust,’ barcarolle, and ‘Marche de Nuit’ and Thalberg’s magnificent duet for two pianos in ‘Norma,’ which was played by Messrs. Wehli and Colby. The beautiful little morceau, ‘Minnehaha,’ gave Mr. Wehli full scope to display his brilliancy of execution and clear, crisp touch. The singers were Mrs. Elder, soprano; Miss Sarah E. Thompson, contralto, and Signor Randolfi, baritone. The first lady was by no means satisfactory, either in voice or style. Miss Thompson gave evidence of artistic ability of the highest order, and Randolfi’s magnificent voice never was heard to better advantage. In response to one overwhelming encore he sang ‘Thou Art So Near.’ His voice requires such ample room as Booth’s theatre affords to produce the desired effect. Miss Thompson was also greeted with an encore, a well deserved tribute to her talents.”

“Mr. James M. Wehli gave his third musical matinée at Booth’s Theatre, yesterday. The house was crowded in every part, and there was abundant enthusiasm. Mr. Wehli repeated his performance of his own fantasia on motives from ‘La Traviata,’ and his ‘Marche de Nuit,’ while his very effective transcription of airs from Gounod’s ‘Faust,’ and a barcarolle by himself, with Thalberg’s duet on ‘Norma’ as a finale, were heard, we believe, for the first time. We have lately had occasion to speak frequently of the pianist and of the composer, and need not at present go over oft-trodden ground. The gentleman had valuable aid from Signor Randolfi, who finds daily increased favor with the public, and whose command of a magnificent voice is being made more and more thorough; from Miss Sara E. Thompson, a young and promising artist, and from Mrs. M. Izora Elder.”