43_118_ct

THE CONCERT.

Notwithstanding the bad state of the streets resulting from the recent storm, the complimentary vocal and instrumental concert at Piper's Opera House last evening, tendered to Miss Isabella Thomas, the popular and talented singer, was very fully attended, the dress circle especially being crowded with ladies and gentlemen, forming a very apprecieative audience. Of the concert generally, we can only speak in terms of unqualified commendation, as highly creditable to all the participants as well as to Professor Farini, the chief manager, to whose efforts the public are indebted for this series of unusually pleasing concerts. This last, however, was the best of all, other singers of established merit volunteering for the occasion. There was rather too much drag, at some points, for the length of the programme, thus keeping the audience somewhat later than was really necessary; 10 o'clock is late enough.

The Victoria Chorus, by Farini's class, whith solo and laughing finale, was given with admirable effect. The cavatina, Robert, sung by Miss Isabella Thomas, was most excellently rendered in every respect, unless we may say that she falls a little in the clear rendition of the highest notes. Let her attain perfection in that respect, and she will be fully entitled to the coveted appellation of Prima Donna Soprano. As a first-class ballad singer she is hard to equal, even now. Her voice is full, clear and harmonious, of good compass, flexibility and pwer. She has a fine, graceful stage appearance, sings with excellent taste, and studies hard and successfully to improve. In response to the encore she sang the Last Rose of Summer very sweetly indeed. The duet The Fishermen, by Mrs. Storer and Mrs. Summers, was also very sweetly given, and loudly encored. They responded with another pleasing duet, of the dialogue order, which was well given, and applauded. Drift My Bark, a very beautiful duet, by Miss Thomas and Professor Farini, was given with admirable effect, the Professor modulating his sometimes too pwerful baritone to perfect harmony and accord with Miss Thomas' fine soprano. Beware, a peculiarly lively ballad, was sung in excellent style by Mrs. Sauers, Farini presiding at the piano and joining in the duet portion. Being most enthusiastically applauded, Mrs. Sauers responded very sweetly with the ballad I'm Writing, My Darling, for Thee. She has a voice of extraordinary sweetness, clearness and power, especially in the highest range of notes, yet not so loud an full in the lower notes. It partakes of both contralto and soprano. The scene from the opera of Il Trovatore was well given, with Miss Thomas as "Leonora," and Mr. Fredericks as "Manrico" - invisible. Miss Belle Tausig san 'Tis Better to Laugh than be Sighing very well indeed, showing considerable improvement over past efforts, and was deservedly encored. Miss Michaelson also sang a sweet ballad or two very well, lacking confidence, however. Mrs. Storer sang Waiting very sweetly, and with taste and correctness, responding to the loud encore by likewise singing Katy's Letter, a very pleasing little gem of a ballad. The German Quartette, Fredericks, Bruckmann, Farini and Stein, accompanied by Professor Pasmore on the piano, were received with high favor in both their well rendered German songs, Michel and the Wein Galop. Both are capital and popular songs, never mind whether you understand a word of them or not. Farini sang Sweey be the Repose most excellently, encored with a jolly song, and in response to the continued enthusiams of his friends got even on them by singing Maggie May. The piano playing, by the four professors, was all first-rate, and Mr. Gill's cornet solo creditably given, but the gem of instrumental music was the flute solo of Frank Moore. He played Blue Bells of Scotland, and another fine piece with variations, in brilliant style, and was very much applauded. It certainly was the best fulte solo ever performed by any one on that stage.