AMUSEMENTS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 611, 3 June 1876, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

ILMA DE MURSKA’S CONCERT. A most enjoyable programme was presented last evening, on the occasion of Mdlle lima de Murska’s fourth concert at the Oddfellows’ Hall. The press for seats seems in no way to diminish, the room being again completely filled. A programme such as that advertised was alone sufficient to draw a large audience, every item being not only intrinsically good, but also pleasingly attractive. Meyerbeer’s ever popular cavatina “Robert, toi que j’aime ” was the first song announced for Mdlle de Murska last evening. This song is too well known to be slurred over, for all can be critical with a familiar air. Every soprano vocalist of any pretentions makes this a regular stock piece, and when all listeners are thus acquainted with many various readings, it always in itself speaks well for the performance when well received. Few pieces sung by De Murska have gained for her so much applause as did this last evening, and deservedly so. The quiet pathos of the opening phrases, and the tender impassioned utterances of the succeeding part were very sweetly given, aud the fire and fervour of the singing towards the end were admirable. The exacting chromaticisms were also very clearly and brightly sung. In response to the extremely demonstrative recall, Mdlle de Murska gave a very pretty reading of the charming Scotch ballad “ Coming thro the rye.” We cannot help thinking that many would be even better pleased had they more opportunities of hearing some of the favorite airs in a familiar language. The next piece was a “ Hungarian Pastoral (with fiauto obbligato), specially composed for De Murska by Doppler. It is a curious composition, more notable for iogenuity of construction than melodlal beauty. It is one of those pieces which seem to have internal evidence of the design to which it owed its origin, alinoet every passage being manifestly designed to show oat some speciality or peculiarity of the singer or the voice. But it was well received and most rap urously applauded, and the result was a repetition of Bishop s florid o Lo, here the lark at Heaven’s gate sings.” The double cadenza (voice and flute) was performed with the same complete unanimity before noticed; and the vocal execution was throughout really wonderful. As a finale, Mdlle de Murska sang the brilliant waltz ( Venzano ) “Ache assorta.” Nothing we have beard is more thoroughly suitable to the clear brilliancy of this talented singer’s voice than this bright composition, and she again secured tremendous applause Maestro Giovanni Ilia played Thalberg’s brilliant arrangement of “ Home, sweet home,” in masterly style ; and in this his lightness of touch was heard to the best advantage of anything we have heard him in. Throughout the melody was very clearly and prominently marked, and the accompany! shakes ia the second variation wae pjr-

formed with great exactness. The crescendo, from the most delicate pianissimo to Ihe fullest fortissimo was finely brought out, and the brilliant arpeggio passages were deliciously light. In answer to his encore, he played Stephen Heller’s artistic arrangement of Schubert’s “La truite.” The accompaniments were rendered even more tastefully than usual, especially noticeable was that of “ Robert toi que j’aime.” Signor Rosnati repeated Tito Mattel’s favorite cavatina “ non 6 ver,” and richly merited the encore which was bestowed. He appeared again, and sang with much delicacy the flowing Ballata from “ Rigoletto.” His second piece was “ M’appari,” from Flotow’e Marta, and this was sung with great sweetness and evenness. Signor Susini’s rendering of “ Infelico” (from Ernani ) was exceedingly good, the recitative being especially fine. But his most successful piece was the “ Serenade” of Mephistopheles, from Gounod’s Faust. This cleverly written song is admir ably suited to him, and his performance of it was exceptionally good. He seemed rather amused at the unwonted reception of a beautiful flower, which was thrown to him by some enthusiastic and delighted listener. But all seemed perhaps equally pleased with his singing, and he had to repeat a portion of the piece. A buffo duet between Signori Susini and Rosnati, from “ L’Elisir d’Araore,” was admirably rendered and well received, and in response to a recall they repeated one of their best pieces already heard. Signor Giammona again played a couple of flute solos ; the first one, an artistic art.Stic arrangement of his own of the “ Carnival de Venise.” Several clever effects were were introduced, notably the clever sustaining of an under dominant “ pedal ” note, with scarcely any perceptible break while performing the melody above. And afterwards this effect was developed and diversified, being repeated with shakes and tremolo. A fifth concert is announced for Monday, when the programme will include the following pieces for Mdlle de Murska : —Grand ana from Semiramidi ; “ Casta Diva,” from Norma ; and the buffo duet (with Susini) from Crispinoe la comare.