English Glees and Ballad Concert: 4th

“For the friends of the Young People’s Association.”

“The large audience which assembled at De Garmo’s last evening pleasantly justified Messrs. Bush, Rockwood, Beckett and Aiken in adding a fourth or supplementary evening of English glees to those previously given. In addition to the services of Miss Finch and Miss Beebe, who assisted most acceptably last evening, as before, a fifth male voice was brought into requisition in two of the selections with pleasing effect.

Of the charming glees rendered, ‘Hark! the Lark,’ and ‘Hark! the Cock Crows,’ for mixed voices, and ‘I Wish to Tune my Quiv’ring Lyre,’ a quartet for male voices by Walmisley, were perhaps the most noticeable.

A selection from Handel’s ‘Acis and Galatea,’ given with much expression by Miss Beebe, received a hearty encore, as did the duet sung by Miss Finch and Miss Beebe.

A pleasant feature of the entertainment was the presence of Mr. Frederic Brandeis, who doubtless listened to the applause bestowed upon his own composition, ‘The Ring,’ with gratification.

The success of these evenings has been so marked that it is probable they will be revived next winter.”

“The fourth and last of a delightful series of concerts took place at De Garmo’s Hall on Wednesday. The music consisted of English glees. The attendance was numerous, and the applause enthusiastic. The glee-singing of Messrs. Bush, Rockwell, Becket, and Aiken is so perfect that the beauty of their voices is actually the least of their merits. Refinement, expression, and subtle variety of shading can hardly be carried much further than it is by this admirable quartet. Some glees for mixed voices were also beautifully sung with the aid of Miss Beebe and Miss Finch. The two ladies also sang Bishop’s famous duet, ‘As It Fell Upon a Day,’ and Miss Beebe did herself infinite credit by the delicacy and charm with which she sang a long and learned, but most lovely, song of Handel’s, from ‘Acis and Galatea.’ The concert was noticeable for the good taste and wholeness of the plan on which it was arranged. There were none of those unfortunate comicalities sometimes introduced, and which at once let down the tone of an audience, and make it impossible for them afterward to attend to a piece of refined sentiment like ‘Return Blest Days.’ There was sufficient variety, but none of those sharp contrasts which are sure to make something sound flat and old-fashioned. The singing, the music, and the temper of the audience were all equally pleasant, and we hope, at a favorable time, to see the series repeated.”