AMUSEMENTS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 609, 1 June 1876, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

ILMA DB MURBKA'S CONCERT.

The Oddfellows' Hall was again crowded to excess last evening, on the occasion of Mademoiselle lima de Murska's third concert, and again considerable numbers were unable to obtain admission, every part being completely filled. The programme submitted was, perhaps, on the whole, scarcely so attractive to popular taste as the previous ones, but the performance was of equal excellence. The most enjoyable numbers were the celebrated " Shadow Dance," in " Dinorah," ef Mdlle. de Murska, and the duet from "ISElixir a" Amove," sung as an encore by Mdlle. do Murska and Signor Susini ; and the bvffo aria from "11 BarHere," Bung by the latter. Mdlle. de Murska's singing in the " Shadow Dance" was one of the best pieces of vocalisation we have heard from her. There are few things which more severely tax the capabilities of a singer than this trying piece ; but it was given with ease and great brilliancy. The florid passages in this famous song make great demands on the executant, notably so where the shorter phrases are continually echoed in megza voce, and in the long and difficult cadenza with its many shakes and distant skips, alljentirely unaccompanied ; but it was sang with the utmost trueness and exactness, and the graceful theme on its recurrence was introduced very neatly. The hearty and continued applause following this compelled a reappearance, and " Mandolinata " was sub stituted. This charming air, with its fine (though somewhat monotonous) accompaniment of rich arpeggio chords, was sung with elegance and pleasing simplicity ; the various gradations of tone: being most delicately given. The Bweet aria from "II Barbiere" (" Una Toce") showed in the opening her quieter style to considerable advantage. The low notes were sung with sweetness, and her pure upper tones were very teliing. The delicious melody of the second part was sung brightly, the clear execution in the upper register, and the ascending sequence of turns towards the end being especially noticeable. It was impossible to refuse to accede to the vociferous demands for repetition, and Mdlle de Murska returned to fling, with Signor Susini tbe inimitably humorous duo" Quanto amove, Elixiv d'Amove." Of this we have already spoken on its previous performance, and last evening it was even better rendered, both executants entering most heartily into the spirit of the piece. Giorza's brilliant vocal waltz (composed specially for Mdlle de Murska) was also sung, and tbe rendering was very enjoyable.

"The Maestro Giovanni Ilia performed a pianoforte piece of his own composition. The pieca is well worked out; opening with fine, bold, full chord?, introducing the air : 'Molly darling," first given with simpleaccompaniment, and then with more florid variations. The finale, with its difficult rapid octave passages, is very effective. It is needless to speak of the actual performance, for Ilia is a master of the instrument, and it would be unfair to keenly criticise, as the piar>o was in such evident bad order, several of the most important notes required being given to " blocking" with most provoking persistency. Signor Susini sang the amusing buffo song " La cahmnia" (from "II Barbiere") with splendid humour, and received a most rapturous encore, being compelled to repeat a portion of it. He also appeared in the dm (with Bignor Bosnati) " I Masnadi&ri," and in the aria " Betley," of Donizetti. In this latter his firm sustained notes were very fine, an! in the bass leads of the duet he was especially good. Signor Bosnati received a well merited encore for his rendering of the melodious aria from "I Lombardi ;" the full upper notes especially being excellently produced and enunciated with much vigor. He replied with another selection from the sime opera. A smooth but somewhat heavy aria by Mercadante ("Illvstri Illvali") was his other item, and this was very neatly given. Signor Giammona's clever flute playing was again a special feature of the programme. A brilliant fantasie on themes from "L'Elixir D'Amore" was his- first piece, and in this the rapidly repeated notes must be mentioned ; but beyond all was his fine rendering of the passage of continuous turns on a low ground-note with an ascending scale in the upper register interspersed. His other item was a Pastorale Ungarese by Doppler. The quaint and mournful minor theme of the first subject was very smoothly and elegantly played, and the brilliant execution later on was freely managed. The next concert is announced for Friday evening.