Katow and Wehli Concert: 1st

“Chickering’s pianos are used in these concerts.”

     “The last two Concerts of Mlle. Helene De Katow and Mr. James M. Wehli prior to their departure to the West, will take place on Monday and Wednesday evenings, April 3 and 5.”

     “In consequence of the serious indisposition of Mr. James M. Wehli, there will be no Concert this evening. Tickets purchased for to-night will be available for Wednesday evening’s Concert.”

     “In consequence of the severe illness of Mr. Wehli, the concert to have been given by him and Miss de Katow this evening, at Niblo’s Saloon, is postponed to Wednesday evening.”

     “We are desired to state that in consequence of the continued indisposition of Mr. Wehli, the concert announced for yesterday evening has to be postponed until Wednesday. All tickets for Monday are good on Wednesday.”

“Musical Review – We quote the American audience here: ‘Americans will treasure your [Gottschalk’s] name in the future as the Europeans treasure Mozart, Beethoven and Mendelssohn.’ – is indeed alarming.  The more Gottschalk and Wehli are praised, the more they injure the musical taste of the people.  Certainly, we recognize the talents of these two gentlemen; Gottschalk is an excellent representation of his individual style, which is expressed in the better compositions of his repertoire. We feel, however, that Gottschalk and Wehli, nor any of the other American musicians who are performing in the various musical establishments, have added to the refinement of the musical taste of the people. 

After this, one probably should not expect us to mention in detail the concerts of Messrs. Gottschalk and Wehli, which represented the essential content of musical life for the past fourteen days, now that they are — Praise God — over.  It was enough that they took place and had the usual success.  Incidentally, we are sorry to hear that Mr. Wehli has become dangerously ill after receiving a smallpox vaccination.  Participating in the Gottschalk concerts was Miss Simons, one of the many successors to and imitators of Patti, but without her talent.  In Mr. Wehli’s matinee, which, because of his illness, had to take place without him, we heard Mme. Adelina Motte, a well-trained singer with a marvelous alto voice.”

     In “Amusements this Evening.”

     “A very enthusiastic though not crowded audience attended the Wehli-Katov Concert at Niblo’s Saloon last night—the last which those enjoyable performers will give in the city for the present. Mr. Wehli played a number of his best pieces, including ‘Le Papillon’—as light and delicate as a butterfly hovering over flowers—and the ‘Guirlande,’ one of his quaintest and most charming productions. The encores were numerous, and Mr. Wehli responded with an expression of countenance suggestive of a man going to his tomb, rather than of an artist recalled by a delighted audience. He was satisfactorily assisted by Miss de Katov on the violoncello, and by Mrs. Motte, Mrs. Behrens and Mr. Paulicchi, vocalists. A feature of the programme was a pleasing and melodious ‘Serenade,’ composed by Mr. Behrens, and tastefully sung by his wife.”

     “Niblo’s Saloon was quite full and this enthusiasm was as warm, especially toward Mr. Wehli, as ever.  Every piece he played was encored and in one selection he received double encore, to which he responded by playing the national airs.  The moment the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ was recognised, the audience, full of the happy excitement of the few past days, burst into spontaneous applause, and only the fatigue of the artist prevented a demand for repetition.  Notwithstanding the recent Gottschalk furore, Mr. Wehli’s exquisite talent is as warmly recognized as heretofore, and we are rejoiced to find that there is sufficient of refined taste in our city to appreciate so unsensational a player—one whose solo dependence for effect is upon the purity and perfection of his style.  We hope to hear Mr. Wehli once more before his departure for the West.”