Rivarde Musical Club Concert: 2nd

“Rarely has Apollo Hall been favored by such a large and fashionable assemblage as witnessed last night the second appearance of Mr. P. A. Rivarde’s admirable corps of artists; for the name, amateur, can scarcely be applied to this organization. The vocal part of the programme consisted of [see above]. These selections were rendered, each and all, with a perfection of style and expression such as one rarely hears in concerts nowadays. The lady who sang the ‘Mignon Polonaise’ has a voice of singular power and sweetness, and its cultivation is of the most unexceptionable kind. No better evidence could be given that we have in this city a mine of vocal talent which the general public know little of, and which only the permanent establishment of the lyric drama in the metropolis can fully develop.

The feature of the evening was the artistic rendering of Chopin’s polonaise-fantasia by the eminent pianist, Mr. Raineri Vilanova. This work is sui generis and possesses none of the qualities of the other polonaises of Chopin beyond that powerful rhythm that distinguishes all of them from the pointed primness of the salon polonaise. Only a pianist who has made Chopin a specialty and who can catch the divine spirit that breathes through these works may venture to play this remarkable composition. Mr. Vilanova’s style is marked by exquisite delicacy and warmth of expression, his technique is faultless in every respect, and he possesses, to an eminent degree, that emotional touch which Chopin’s works demand. An orchestra, which was selected and rehearsed with evident care, and was ably conducted by Mr. Rivarde, played the overtures to ‘Der Freyschutz’ and ‘Semiramide.’ Altogether the concert was one of those delightful musical treats which are a source of pleasure to an audience during the performance and leave a lasting impression afterwards. We should, indeed, have more of them.”

Review: New-York Times, 27 February 1871, 5.

“A very attractive concert was given at Apollo Hall by the Rivarde Musical Club, on Saturday evening. Several amateurs appeared, a débutante, Miss Anna Simon, and a well-known songstress at similar affairs, Miss Davenport, by name, being prominent. Miss Simon will be heard at no distant date at a concert for the Ladies’ Aid Society of the Hahnemann Hospital. Miss Davenport’s execution of the polonaise from ‘Mignon’ ranks with the best non-professional singing we have ever been privileged to listen to. The most substantial feature of the entertainment was the recital by M. Ranieri Vilanova, of Chopin’s polonaise de concert, numbered third, if we are not mistaken, and provided with an orchestral accompaniment supplied by a very large body of musicians, under the leadership of Mr. P. A. Rivarde. M. Vilanova’s performance of this very difficult composition was not only the fruit of an art education begun in boyhood, but the offspring of an imagination and of a fancy which the reader of Chopin must have, and of the knowledge requisite to a choice of the fit means of expression. We hope M. Vilanova’s very fascinating delivery of this capital production will soon be repeated in public.”