Bateman Inaugural Concert: 4th

Program included.

Includes performers and program.

      “The first matinee in the magnificent new Steinway Hall, yesterday, was attended by a very large audience, mostly composed of ladies, and therefore fashionable. We have seldom seen a matinee audience so enthusiastic and appreciative, for the efforts of the artists were applauded nearly as much as at the evening concerts. Signor Brignoli sang “Good bye, Sweetheart,” for the first time. A more charming ballad has rarely been presented at a concert and by it alone the composer, Mr. J. L. Hatton, would have acquired lasting honors as a balladist. Sims Reeves created a furore in England by singing it, and we doubt not but Signor Brignoli will have to repeat it often during the Bateman season here. His pronunciation of the words was better than we expected, and his admirable command of expression and clear bell like voice appeared to the best advantage in it.  We liked his smooth rendering of the flowing melody better even than Reeves, for the latter was in the habit of singing his peculiar sforzato notes to excess in it.  There was of course, an encore. Parepa sang ‘Robert, toi que j’aime,’ and Claribel’s beautiful songs, ‘I cannot sing the old songs’ and ‘Five o’clock in the morning.’ Her versatility is indeed a marvel. A grand aria from an oratorio or opera, a German lied, a French chansonette, an English ballad, or any other possible species of vocal composition seems to be equally familiar to her. In tarantellas, Signor Ferranti appears to be in his native element.  His action, voice, and rendering is exuberant with fun and humor, and it would be difficult to find his equal as a buffo singer in these pieces. Signor Fortuna’s baritone is always enjoyable, and he has the style of a true artist. Mr. Carl Rosa played Lenard’s ‘Souvenir d’Haydn’ in excellent style. No severest test could hardly be given a violinist than the passage where, on the same instrument, the air is played legato and the accompaniment Staccato. Mr. Rosa accomplished the feat successfully. Mr. Mills played the fantasia on the Wedding March, and as an encore his last composition, ‘Murmuring Fountain.’ He threw into the latter piece more strength and terror, tempered with delicate feeling, than ever heard him play before. The orchestra, under Mr. Thomas, played the Poet and Peasant Overture and Figaro’s Marriage Overture.”
 

"The event was very well attended with the ladies in majority. Brignoli’s excellently performed ballad 'Goodbye, sweetheart' moved the ladies into ecstasy."