Musical Soirée

“Miss Parker, a young lady just emerging into the art world, gave a very modestly announced concert at Weber’s Hall last evening. The audience was numerous, and seemed deeply interested in the vocal inauguration of this promising artist.

Signor Carrozzi opened the programme with a piano solo, which was warmly received. Mr. Finlay Finlayson followed, and seemed a favorite with his hearers. Miss Parker then appeared, and sang ‘Gaily Chant the Summer Birds’ in a very acceptable style. Her fine soprano has sweetness and variety, seems trained in a good method, and bids fair with additional cultivation to become very popular. She was somewhat embarrassed, and betrayed very becomingly a certain nervousness peculiar to first appearances. She has a good figure, is prepossessing and pretty.

Mr. H. R. Romeyn is a worthy American representative of the Italian school. His ‘Fra Poco,’ from Donizetti, was admirably sung, and reminded us of Brignoli. The aria from ‘Nabuco,’ by Madame Salvotti, was a fine effort of vocalization, which the audience keenly recognised and appreciated. The duo ‘Io vivo e l’amo,’ by Miss Parker and Mr. Sohst, elicited well-merited applause, and was one of the gems of the performance. The aria ‘Infelice’ of Verdi was excellently sung by Mr. Sohst, whose fine bass voice deserves to be often heard. Its freshness and fullness are very noticeable. The duo, ‘I Pescatori,’ from Gabussi, by Madame Salvotti and Mr. Romeyn, gave rise to a storm of applause which could only be lulled to silence by its repetition. Not only the air itself, but its admirable vocalization, was truly exquisite.

The concert was a success, and must inspire Miss Parker with the hope of becoming an addition to the already numerous galaxy of American artists.”

“Miss Maggie R. Parker made her debut in public at Weber’s Hall, Fifth Avenue. She has a soprano voice, which, in sweetness and limpidity of tone and good training, promises well. She is still in need of that ease and confidence that mark the accomplished artist, but time and study will doubtless conquer for her all difficulties. She was assisted by Madame Salvotti and Messrs. Romeyn and Sohst.”