Mina Geary Benefit and Annual Ballad Concert

“A very large and highly fashionable audience was present at Steinway Hall last evening, to ‘assist’ at the annual ballad concert of Miss Mina Geary. The programme was a very select one, being made up of the compositions of Balfe, Reichart, Claribel, and other popular composers. Miss Mina, the beneficiary, rendered in most charming McFaneu’s [sic] song, ‘The Beating of My Own Heart,’ in which she was encored and in responses gave a unique rendering of ‘Comin’ Thro’ The Rye,’ for which she received well merited applause. Mr. Gustavus Geary gave Reichart’s ‘Thou Art So Near and Yet So Far’ in a manner that deserved the encore he received. The gem of the evening in the vocal line was Miss Sophie Mozart’s rendition of Balfe’s bird song, ‘Sweetheart,’ which was honored with a unanimous request for repetition. George W. Morgan made the hall organ give out the harmonies of the overture to ‘William Tell,’ and Mr. Johannes Senia [sic] exhibited his faculty for coaxing melody out of his wood and straw instrument. Altogether, the concert was a success, both financially and musically.”