Sunday Evening Concert: 20th

"Sunday Concert.--The twentieth Sunday concert takes palce to-morrow evening at Steinway Hall. The occasion is in every way important, inasmuch [sic] as it returns to us the members of the celebrated Bateman troupe, Mme. Parepa, Signor Ferrante, Signor Fortuna, Mr. Carl Rosa, Mr. S. B. Mills, Mr. Hatton, &c. The orchestra will, as heretofore, be under the direction of Mr. Theodore Thomas, and the programme is, as usual, excellently and judiciously selected."

“The twentieth grand Sunday concert at Steinway Hall last night introduced the celebrated Bateman troupe. The hall was crowded to its utmost extent, and the audience was one of fashion and intelligence. The programme was an excellent one, comprising selections from Weber, Mercadante, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Verdi, Liszt, Handel, Rossini and Wagner. We have so often spoken of this celebrated troupe that it would be only repeating our former criticisms to add anything at present. Suffice it to say that all the artistes fully sustained their previous high reputation and gave universal satisfaction. Mssrs. Harrison and Bateman have made those concerts an institution in the metropolis, and hundreds look anxiously to Sunday night for a feast of music such as only Germany and France before could furnish.”

“The Sunday concert at Steinway Hall last evening was attended by a very large audience. The attraction of Mr. Bateman’s company was added to the other inducements offered by the popular manager of these concerts. Mme. Parepa rendered Handel’s ‘Mighty Kings’ and ‘So Shall the Lute,’ with remarkable sweetness and effect, and was enthusiastically encored in each. Signor Fortuna sang Mercadante’s ‘Alla Pace,’ and also, with Ferranti, Rossini’s ‘D’un Belluso’ to the delight of the whole audience, and in the latter instance to the evident merriment of those who understood the language. Carl Rosa gave one of his beautiful violin solos, and Mr. S. B. Mills performed his usual success on the piano. The orchestral performance, under the leadership of Mr. Theodore Thomas, was very fine. This was probably the last appearance here this season of Mr. Bateman’s artists at a Sunday concert.”

“The return of Mme. Parepa and the other members of the Bateman Troupe, was hailed last night by a large and enthusiastic audience at Steinway Hall. The lady was in excellent voice, and created the same furore as heretofore. The grand aria “Mighty Kings” has never been given with better effect. No one regretted that it was substituted for the piece from ‘Elijah.’ In such music, Mme. Parepa is heard to the greatest possible advantage, and we may add that it is in such pieces that the true artiste displays herself, for Handel's music needs individual expression as well as correctness and power. Mme. Parepa was encored, and substituted the well-known scena called the ‘Shipwreck,’ which she gave with much dramatic effect. Signor Fortuna and Signor Ferranti were both received with favor, and sang their several pieces in the best manner. Mr. Carl Rosa played a couple of movements from Mendelssohn’s concerto with excellent taste and skill. Mr. S.B. Mills, our finest pianist, played the ‘Africaine’ fantasie from Liszt, in perfect faultless manner. The orchestra, under Mr. Theodore Thomas, left nothing to be desired—in the purely orchestral pieces. Mr. J. L. Hatton presided at the piano.”

“The concert attracted a large audience and the performance was enthusiastically received. Mills impressed with Liszt’s phantasy which was played on a magnificent Steinway piano. Brignoli was sick. He suffered from idleness.”