Gottschalk Farewell Concert: 2nd

“Gottschalk’s concert at Niblo’s Saloon last night was a success, as usual almost all the pieces on the programme receiving encores. In the Trovatore duet with Mrs. Barnetche, Gottschalk some way managed to hurt his thumb, so that he could not perform his last piece, ‘The Banjo.’ The vocalization of D’Angri and Simpson were pleasing additions to the entertainment.”

“Mr. Gottschalk gave a couple of pleasant concerts at Niblo’s Saloon last week, and will give a third at the same establishment on Wednesday next.  Mme. D’Angri is the vocal star, and is assisted by Mr. George Simpson, a very pleasing concert tenor. Mr. Carlo Patti – a brother of Adelina Patti – made his debut at the first of these entertainments as a violinist. He has a pleasing style and presence, and satisfies the multitude.  Mr. Gottschalk himself never played better than on these occasions.”

More about Gottschalk’s Chickering pianos than the concert itself. “Mr. Gottschalk gave a concert last week at Niblo’s Saloon, which was according to custom well attended. Mr. Gottschalk combines the utmost strength with the utmost delicacy of fingering. It would be superfluous to range over the keys faster than he does. He is such an established favorite that musical conquest invariably attends him. We are reminded by some portentous letters painted on the grand pianoforte which he uses that he selects Chickering’s instruments. This house may gracefully be mentioned in connection with pianoforte playing as something stupendous in the history of American lyrico-mechanics. Established many years ago by the deceased father of the present principals, it has steadily sent forth a supply of American pianos, until the total number exceeds we believe some twenty-five-thousand, and their works are held in the highest esteem. Their establishment is immense: they take in logs of wood and iron bars and send forth their lyres Americanised. One of the partners has mounted a barbed steed to fright the souls of the fearful adversaries, being Colonel of an esteemed Boston regiment, in which is a large portion of recruits from his manufactory; the other is engaged in producing the lascivious lute. Both are respected as accomplished gentlemen and of the highest tone mercantile as well as musical.”

“L.M. Gottschalk (the popular pianist and composer) assisted by Madame Elena D’Angri, contralto; M’lle Barnetche, pianist; Geo. Simpson, tenor, and Carlo Patti, violinist; gave two concerts last week at Niblo’s Saloon, the 1st on the 22d, the 2nd on the 24th ult. The selections on both evenings were well calculated to please, and in the main were well executed. ‘Slumber on, baby dear,’ a mother’s cradle song, composed by Gottschalk, and sung by Madame D’Angri, is a sweet, simple piece of music, and was well rendered by the lady. Simpson, on the first night, appeared to be nervous; but on the second sang with his accustomed clearness and confidence. Gottschalk excelled himself on the latter occasion, particularly in his ‘Murmures Epliens’ and M’lle Barnetche is certainly the best lady pianist we ever heard. Eulogy, however, is superfluous, when we say that the house was full on both occasions, and every piece but one was encored. Gottschalk gives a matinee at the same place on the 3d inst., when, we understand, Madam Varian is to assit. The same party gave concerts at Hartford on the 25th, Boston 26th and 29th, Providence 27th ult., and appear in Stamford on the 1st inst.”