Sunday Evening Concert: 15th

"FIFTEENTH SUNDAY EVENING CONCERT.

Messrs. Bateman and Harrison's fifteenth Sunday evenign concert will take place to-morrow evening, at Steinway Hall. In addition to Mr. Theo. Thomas's Orchestra, Mme. Fanny Raymond Ritter and a new violinist will appear. The crowds which throng the hall every Sunday evenign prove how popular these concerts are with the public."

"The regular Sunday evening concert will be given to-morrow evenign at Steinway Hall, when Madame Ritter will make her first appearance at these concerts. Mr. Wenzel Kopta and Mr. George W. Colby will assist, together with Mr. Theodore Thomas's orchestra."

Brief. "The Sunday concert at Steinway Hall this evening will introduce Mrs. Fanny Raymond Ritter and a new violinist, in addition to the orchestra."

“The fifteenth Sunday concert was given last evening, at Steinway Hall, to a large and appreciative audience. The programme was remarkably select [list program and performers.] The lady [Ritter] has an excellent voice, and sang the two pieces allotted to her with marked effect. Mr. Kopta does not possess much strength of tone, but his musical feeling, clearness of phrasing and neatness of execution astonished and delighted the audience. Mr. Kopta will undoubtedly become a great favorite in the concert room. He is a new arrival from the other side.”

“This popular hall was well filled last evening on the occasion of the fifteenth Sunday concert given by Mr. L. F. Harrison. The orchestra played Spontini’s overture to La Vestale, a work which displays sensibility, vigor and truth of expression; the delicious romance and scherzo from the fourth symphony by Schumann, and a scene and ballet from Robert le Diable, with all stirring melody, strongly marked contrasts and dramatic effects, in the usual successful manner that characterizes this admirable body of musicians. Madame Fanny Raymond Ritter sang an aria from St. Paul. Her voice is good, but betrays the amateur in some instances. Mr. Wenzel Kapta [sic], a new violinist, achieved a marked success in playing the adagio and rondo from Paganini’s second concerto. He gave the campanelle in the style of an artist, and his pure, clear, neat intonation in this exquisite violin piece won the hearty applause of the audience.”

These concerts have become quite popular. Only six or seven years back, a small number of people would have attended. How wonderful that the taste for music has progressed and draws larger audiences now. Ritter’s performance is decent and “soulful”. She sang the song “Elfenliebe” with much talent and soul. Mr. Ritter accompanied her more beautifully than we have heard anywhere in years. Kopta, who came out of nowhere “like a meteor”, plays his violin with a beautiful, warm sound, with technical skill, gracefulness, a small staccato, great accuracy, and confidence. He will soon be very successful as a soloist. The orchestra was small yet played with even more precision. The overture from Vestalin; however, was too thin.