Bateman Inaugural Concert: 7th

Includes programme.

“Rossini figured extensively on last night’s programme, William Tell, Cenerentola and Turco in Italia being presented by overture, cavatina and duo. Of the overture it is unnecessary to speak. The cavatina Don Magnifico was very well sung by Signor Ferranti. Such pieces, however, lose considerably when brought into the concert room, and the gesticulations of the singer are merely regarded with wonder by the audience. The same may be said of the piquant duet E un bel uso di Turchia.[sic]  Signor Brignoli sang Ascher’s Romanze, ‘Alice,’ a plaintive little melody, which he rendered with charming tenderness and expression. The wonderful mezza voce was displayed to the most advantage in it. In Hullah’s descriptive song, ‘The Storm,’ Madame Parepa showed great dramatic power of voice. It was the only piece allotted her on the programme that was at all worthy of such an artist. Arditi’s hackneyed glittering nonsense, “Il Bacio,” in which we must say there was not unanimity between the singer and the orchestra, and the little childish song, “By and By,” are not what an audience would expect to hear from Madame Parepa. She, of course, sang them well, as she sings everything, but it is only throwing away her splendid voice on trashy, worthless subjects. Mr. Carl Rosa, owing to the indisposition of Mr. Mills, was the only solo instrumentalist. The programme for last evening was very badly selected. No matter how good a number of solos may be as regards the singing and the pieces themselves, they become excessively very tiresome when not varied by concerted pieces. After the overture last night there followed an almost unbroken succession of solos. The duet from the Turco in Italia was the only exception on the bill. Now this can be easily remedied with such materials as are in the Bateman troupe, for there are many trios and quartettes which would set off the solo pieces to much better advantage. There is another feature that would add interest to the remaining concerts. Mr. Hatton is an excellent buffo singer as well as accompanist, and the management should give the audience at Steinway Hall an opportunity of hearing him before the season closes.”