Venue(s):
Niblo's Concert Saloon
Price: $.50; $.75 reserved
Event Type:
Chamber (includes Solo)
Performance Forces:
Instrumental, Vocal
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
1 October 2014
“Niblo’s Saloon will, during the present week, be the scene of a great deal that is interesting…On Wednesday evening Madame Charlotte Varian gives a concert which promises to be one of the most brilliant of the season, introducing, as it does, to a New York audience a vocalist who comes to us with the most flattering testimonials.”
“Madame Varian’s Concert at Niblo’s Saloon last night was one of those pleasant successes which vary the dull monotony of concert going. The audience was appreciative enough to nearly double the length of the performance by encoring almost every piece in the programme, and the style in which the pieces were rendered justified the applause. Madame Varian has already obtained a most favorable reputation in the provinces, and on the occasion of her New York début showed the possession of many attributes which secure the success of a first-class concert singer. With a very sweet and flexible voice, trained in the best Italian method; with a far greater share of personal attractions than is usually given to even American ladies; with an ease and grace of manner without any of the awkwardness of a novice, and yet with an utter freedom from the conventional mannerisms of the stage, this lady must be added to the list of concert singers who, like Carlotta Patti, are more appreciated abroad than at home. Madame Varian is an American, and has studied in Italy. She sang last night the ‘Ernani Involami,’ ‘Ah non giunge,’ Reichart’s melody ‘Beloved Star,’ Auber’s ‘Laughing Song,’ and, in response to encores, the familiar ballads, ‘Annie Laurie,’ ‘Comin’ thro’ the Rye,’ and ‘Edinboro Town.’ In ballad music she is peculiarly happy, and her ‘Annie Laurie’ is something to remember as well as listen to.
The concert was otherwise most enjoyable. Mr. Edward Hoffmann, the pianist, played Gottschalk’s fairy-like music with exquisite delicacy; Mr. Appy played the violin so admirably as to make everybody wonder that the man is not heard in public a great deal oftener; and Mr. Simpson sang, in his usual pleasant style, a ballad and an operatic selection, besides taking part in a duet [sic] from ‘Roberto Devereux.’”