Gottschalk Instrumental and Vocal Concert: 2nd Series, 1st

Can’t read most of the article. “William Castle (a new tenor – pupil of Signor Abella).”

“Mr. W[illiam] Castle, a young tenor whose education has been directed by Abella. . . . [W]e foretell a brilliant career.”

“The programme was highly varied. . . .

Next to Mr. Gottschalk’s playing – and he never played with greater spirit, taste and delicacy – the sensation of the evening was the debût of the new tenor Mr. William Castle, a young man who possesses a clear and powerful robusto voice, and has been schooled by Abella in the best Italian method. . . . a degree of talent and skill which will soon give him a high rank as a vocalist. The debût was an eminent success.”

          “Irving Hall.--It has been maintained by experienced managers and artists of long suffering that the days of popular concerts were at an end; that three-decker programmes, with fantasias all over them like buttons on a page’s coat, were no longer attractive to the public. Mr. Harrison, in his admirable series of entertainments, goes far to upset this theory. In reviving the palmiest days of miscellaneous music, he has also restored to the concert-room its ancient reputation of being the most harmless place where worldly delights can be enjoyed. Profuseness and excellence were combined with admirable discrimination in last evening’s programme.  Mr. Gottschalk has seldom been heard to greater advantage, being received, of course, with the usual fervor. A fragment from a Fantasia on ‘Somnambula,’ by the Cuban pianist Espadero, was the principal novelty, but it hardly justified the expectations excited by its announcement.  The composer is said to be a remarkable man, and certainly owes a reputation to Mr. Gottschalk, who never hesitates to speak with enthusiasm of his gifts. The fantasia is sufficient to excite interest, but not to call for further remark. In his own pieces, Mr. Gottschalk was, as usual, inimitable.  Mr. Theodore Thomas played a couple of solos with superb elegance and clearness, especially a Tarantelle, by Vieuxtemps.  Mr. Eben was excellent in his flute pieces, and Mad. De Lussan sang with her accustomed tact and skill.  Not the least interesting event of the evening was the début of Mr. Wm. Castle, a young American tenor, who possesses an admirable voice, and is evidently destined to assume a leading position in musical circles. Inan romanza by  Mercadante, and a pleasing ballad by Mr. A Wood, the best qualities of his voice were displayed; both pieces were encored-‘La donna e Mobile’ being substituted for the first, and ‘My Pretty Jane’ for the second.  The latter was the least successful of Mr. Castle’s efforts, being somewhat too florid and inconsequential for the earnest outpourings of a ballad swain. The gentleman’s success, however, was none the less marked and merited. His voice is fresh, powerful, and of good quality, and his future clearly rests with himself.

     Taken as a whole, the concerts now being given by Mr. Harrison, at his beautiful hall, are by far the best that we have had in the City for many years, being as remarkable for their cheapness as their excellence. It is not strange that they are attracting the undivided attention of the musical public, and reversing the theories of management.”

          "Gottschalk's Concert.--Last evening Gottschalk gave his first concert of the second series at Itving Hall, to a densely crowded and fashionable audience. The entertainment was completely successful, and was enthusiastically applauded throughout. Gottschalk, if possible, excelled himself, and was encored in everything. His 'Home, Sweet Home,' and the 'Aeolian Murmurs' exhibited a brilliancy of execution which was truly dazzling. Well may America feel proud of her great pianist. Mr. Eben's performance on the flute was exquisitely sweet, and Thomas charmed as much as ever with his delicious violin. Madame de Lussan was well received, and acquitted herself with great ability, and acquited herself with great ability in the cavatina 'Com e Bello,' from 'Lucrezia Borgia,' which she sang with great sweetness, pathos and taste. She was vehemently applauded. The new tenor, Mr. William Castle, has a voice of very fine quality and great power. The audience pronounced most decidedly in his favor. He sang the romanca 'Il Bravo,' by Mercadante, and a gem from 'Don Pasquale' on being encored. He also sang with great effect Wood's 'Things That Never Die.' Mr. Castle has an excellent organ, and if he will take care of it he will reap both profit and fame from it. This concert gave immense satisfaction."

 CONCERTS DE GOTTSCHALK-- ". . . M. Wm. Castle, whose debut Tuesday was a true success, will be heard anew. . . . "

PEOPLE NOTE: Castle sang with Christy’s Ethiopian troupe under the name of Reeves. “Mr. Gottschalk has given another series of concerts at Irving Hall. Their mixed character, reduced prices, and curiosity regarding the débuts of some of the ‘assistance,’ have drawn large audiences. Mr. Wm. Castle, a tenor, has been much applauded. He has a remarkably fine voice, and after two more years of steady study, might become a singer of superior order; but his style is at present unequal and unformed, sometimes excellent, but too often betraying the coarseness of the negro minstrel style (?) of singing; for under the name of Reeves, Mr. Castle has sung during the past two years or three years, with Christy’s Ethiopian troupe. It is to be regretted that more time has not been devoted to the cultivation of so good a voice. . . . [Many performers] have taken part in the programmes, the selections of which have been as usual, with an occasional good thing sandwiched between bad and indifferent.”