Sacred Operatic Concert: 1st

“The concert at the Park Theatre last evening was not of decided interest. Signor Braga’s violoncello playing, however, confirmed the favorable impression his work produced at the concerts given in Steinway Hall Friday and Saturday; equally finished execution is rarely listened to. The singers on the occasion we write of were Miss Mackenzie, whose voice is strong, but rather deficient in timbre, and whose delivery is correct but colorless, and Signor Orlandini, whose ‘largo’ was quite a creditable performance. Of the pianist, Mlle. Klauzek, by name, there is no need to speak.”

“A rather novel entertainment of a Sunday evening concert at a theatre took place last evening at the Park Theatre. It was called, by courtesy probably, a sacred concert. What special claim it had to any sacredness it was not easy to see, unless the consecration march from ‘The Prophet’ might help it to that title. A portion—about one-third—of the Philharmonic Orchestra furnished the instrumental music. Miss Mackenzie and Signor Orlandini were the vocalists. Signor Braga, the violoncellist, also played with admirable skill several compositions. The audience was quite a small one, but enthusiastic in reverse ratio to its numbers. This is announced as the first of a series of similar concerts arranged for Sunday evenings at this theatre.”