Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

Extra Leaves.

MUSICAL NOTES.-Parodi has given "one more and the last concert," with two repeats, since our last. The houses have been excellent, as good as could be desired, not to say expected. By the way, the notices which preceded and followed these concerts, were some of them of the flatulent school. If not published at so much per line, they smacked very much of that kind of thing. Pity, we think, an artiste should have such injudicious friends, if friends the writers of the puffs be. Reading their rainbow extravaganzas, the uninitiated would suppose Mlle. Parodi inferior to nobody, that sings or has sung. They would look upon her as the wonder, musically speaking, of the century. Now, is not this injudicious? Is Parodi more than a simply brilliant singer? The most ordinary concert-goer, on hearing her, after such extra-laudation, must be disappointed; she cannot meet the draft which expectation makes. And she is therefore a sufferer, slowly but surely, in the long-run. Truth must have its full force eventually; humbug may do for a time, but it does not wear well. Even our friend Barnum begins to feel that there is a failing point at last. But this evil of extravagant puffing does not alone affect the singer. A community suffers for it. The quality of musical criticism is injured. Reading some of the praises of Parodi, people abroad who know what she is, viz. a very brilliant dramatic singer, exclaim, "We had thought there were musical judgment and taste in Philadelphia! We had thought Jenny Lind, Grisi, Alboni, Laborde, Truffi, Biscaccianti, had visited that city! Hardly possible this, if there can be such extravagant joy felt at the performances of Parodi!"

Let us do Parodi no injustice. She is a great actress, aye, and a more than average singer. That she has exceeding refinement of execution, thoroughly high-toned musical sympathies, a genial, warm, and well modulated voice, no one who has a nice musical ear, not to say cultivation, can readily deny. She is a noble-looking woman; yes, without exception.

Strackosch and his wife accompanied Parodi, and gave desired grace to her entertainment. Mr. Arthurson, a tasteful ballad-singer, was also one of the troupe. We remember him of old, with much pleasure. Mr. A. is, we believe, now a resident of Boston.

Miss Shepperd has given a second concert and with fair success. She was assisted by Messrs. Rohr, Thunder and Crouch, about as noisy a sounding trio as could well be associated together.

The Musical Union (Messrs. Rohr, Thunder and Crouch,) have performed "Joseph" twice very acceptably. It is an oratorio of great reputation.

The Harmonic Society announced "Creation" at Concert Hall in the early part of November. The Society is well organized and the concert was good. The Philharmonic Society gave the first concert

November 5th, with Parodi, Strackosch and Co. stars. This association has seen its best days.

The Pyne Opera Troupe were announced to concertize at the Musical Fund, when we went to pres They offer a pleasing variety and have more than tolerable musical ability. Miss Louisa Pyne, the prima donna, executes some pieces, as well as they were ever done by anybody of the English school.

The Academy of Music, in Broad Street, is progressing finely. Two stories are now up of the amphitheatre portion, while the back buildings are The enterprise is one much further advanced. which reflects great credit on our city. Will it pay? That remains to be seen.

We cannot close our musical notes without saying that "The Ethiopian Opera" is now an institution among us. The popular Sandford, of the American Opera House, Eleventh above Chestnut, has settled that point. He has an excellent balladist, in Mr. E. J. Turner.

We would direct attention to the advertisement of the United States Life Insurance Company. We would also ask our readers to turn their eyes to those of Dill & Co., Everett, Peters & Co. Indeed, to the entire list we present. Conrad Meyer, the celebrated manufacturer of London World's Exposition Piano, it will be seen occupies the second page of our cover.

Persons in the country, addressing Mr. Church's General Literature and Art Agency, should send a stamp with which to prepay replies. Letters may be addressed, for the present, to this office.

The Prospectus for 1856 of that well-estab lished and able paper, the Saturday Evening Post, appears in our present issue, and will doubtless attract attention.

NEW BOOKS RECEIVED-Philadelphia: E. H. Butler & Co.-The Christian Year. By Rev. John T. B. Peterson.— Keble. Elegantly Illustrated. Mysteries of Paris. By Eugene Sue. The Female Bluebeard. By Eugene Sue.

New York: Harper & Brothers.-The Works of Horace. Trans. by C. Smart, A. M. The Works of Virgil. By Davidson. Sallust, Florens and Villeius Long & BroPaterculus. By J. S. Watson. Dewitt & Davenport. -Scenes ther.-Almack's. in the Practice of a New York Surgeon. By E. H. Dixon, M. D. Mason & Brothers.-The Wager of Battle. By H. W. Herbert. Speeches of Gerrit Smith in Congress. D. Appleton & Co.-Juno Clifford. W. P. Fetridge & Co.-Taverino. By George Sand. J. C. Derby.-Minnie and J.

Boston: Shepherd, Clarke & Co.-Glenwood. Whittemore, Niles & Hall.-Klosterheim. By Thomas De Quincey.

[graphic]
[graphic]
« ПредишнаНапред »