Colossal Operatic Concert: 11th

Includes program; for the benefit of Henryk Wieniawski.

“The concert at the Grand Opera-house last night was pre-eminently successful. M. Henri Wieniawski took his benefit, and the house was crowded to do honor to the distinguished violinist. M. Wieniawski and Mlle. Di Murska were the chief performers, but the Ninth Regiment Band did some good service, and Signor Ferranti’s buffo song gave an agreeable variety to the programme. The system of unreasonable encores was plied with great assiduity last evening, and as a consequence the concert was prolonged to a rather late hour. M. Wieniawski had to play three times in succession, and exacting demands were also made on Mlle. Di Murska and on Signor Ferranti. Mlle. Di Murska sang a florid aria, ‘Che gioja,’ with orchestral accompaniment, but this did not bring out the artist’s qualities so well as the celebrated aria, ‘Gli angui d’inferno,’ from ‘Il Flauto Magico,’ or ‘Ah, no giunge,’ which concludes ‘La Sonnambula.’ The band of the Ninth Regiment furnished good selections of classical and popular music, but orchestral music was a little too preponderant in the programme.”

“The very successful season of Sunday concerts at the Grand Opera House closed last night with a musical performance of unusual attraction and an audience that filled the entire house. Downing’s Ninth Regiment Band, in their handsome uniform, made a very dashing appearance, and played very commendably selections from Meyerbeer, Weber, Verdi, Bosquet, Godfrey and Downing. Mlle. Ilma di Murska was, however, the chief feature of the occasion, singing a glittering waltz song, Artot’s variations and a scene from ‘Lucia,’ with the marvelous brilliancy of style and thoroughly artistic finish for which she is so famous. Wieniawski was another attraction, and after playing his fine fantasie on ‘Faust’ he was encored several times. Signor Ferranti, the celebrated buffo, was another feature.”