Miss Hattie M. Gibbs Concert

     “The concert of this young lady took place at Dodworth’s Hall, before a large and fashionable audience. Miss Gibbs has enjoyed quite a distinguished reputation in private as a vocalist, and her first essay in public last night proved that she had won that reputation justly. She has a light soprano, or we should say, a mezzo soprano of very sweet quality, well educated and flexible. Her execution on this occasion was not well assured and accurate at all times, but the nervousness of a first appearance will fully excuse this, because of the evidence of general excellence in her fioriture. She sings with taste and expression, and her style is quite artistic and effective. She was a little overtaxed in the Waltz by Biletta, but parts of it she sang admirably. She was enthusiastically encored in this and also in the Duet with Mr. J., which was really beautifully sung, and fully deserved the encore which was awarded it. She has a few exaggerations, which will be moderated by experience, but her promise in all respects is excellent, and her debut must be looked upon as successful.

     Mdlle. Toedt played most admirably, especially in the Andante from Mendelssohn’s Concerto, which was given with a purity, grace and sentiment worthy of all praise. This young lady is one of the most rising artists in the country, and bids fair to attain a foremost rank in her profession. She was loudly applauded and encored, and well merited it all.

     Mr. Robert Goldbeck played three selections in a brilliant and musicianly [sic] manner, and gave infinite satisfaction to the audience.

     The Amateur assistants, Mr. J. and Mr. B., were very competent. Mr. J. especially has a very sweet and pure-toned tenor voice, and sings with much taste and expression. The whole concert was a pleasant affair, and the vocalists do infinite credit to the instruction of Signor Rivarde.”

     “This season has brought out quite a number of debutantes, some of whom possess considerable vocal ability. The last was the above mentioned young lady, who appeared at Dodworth Hall last night. Her teacher, Mr. Ricards, was director, Miss Toedt violinist, Mr. Robert Goldbeck pianist, and two gentlemen whose names were not given assisted in the vocal parts. Miss Gibbs has a sweet, clear and well modulated soprano voice; but the same remarks we have made of a previous debutante at the same hall may be to some extent applied to her. If the lower and medium registers of a soprano voice are not developed in the same proportion with the upper there is a want of proper balance and uniformity shown in the rendering of the simplest ballad. The voice should be built up as on architectural principles—a good foundation first, and then gradually extended it to prima donna point. Miss Gibbs, however, with more public practice and confidence, may justly expect to win a high position among American vocalists. When her voice is more matured and even, and less tremulous and weak in the lower register, there is no doubt of her success. Miss Toedt took the place of Jenin Prume, who was unable to appear as advertised. The distinguished Belgian artist could not have a better or more satisfactory substitute. Her execution of an andante movement from Mendelssohn’s concerto and a fantasia by Hanman, confirmed us in the opinion formed of her powers at the last Brooklyn Philharmonic concert. She lacks confidence, and consequently power, still, but plays with the utmost taste and expression. Mr. Goldbeck very prudently abstained from monopolizing the piano part of the programme last night with his own compositions. He played Willmer’s Fantasia Hongroise and two of De Meyer’s pieces. It is a pity that such a promising and capable artist will persist in giving what might be determined ‘eccentric’ and ‘sensational’ renderings of the works of other composers. The feeling of his hearer is one of perplexity and wonder at his capricious taste, and doubt as to the authorship of the composition he is playing. His hard and unsympathetic touch increase this uncomfortable feeling, and leaves a dissatisfied impression. Whether the course he pursues is intended for a new school, or whether it is unintentionally erratic, we cannot judge; but, in either case, if persisted in, it will prove anything but successful in America. Let him but devote his power as an artist to none of the modern schools, and, throw a little more brilliancy into his style, and he will not have such a ‘hard road to travel’ in music as his present system is leading him to.

     The two male vocalists—tenor and bass—were unmistakable amateurs, and seemed to be very chary about letting their voices be heard.

     Donizetti would have disowned the secunde in his charming duet from Belisario, had he heard it last night. Both might possibly succeed in an echo chorus.”