DE MURSKA CONCERT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4786, 25 July 1876, Page 2

DE MURSKA CONCERT.

As was anticipated, the first concert of the season last evening drew a very large and fashionable audience. The hall was completely packed, and although a large portion of the downstairs room had been set apart for reserved seats, the accommodation was insufficient, and it became necessary to place chairs in the hall in order to give additional sittings. The stage had been profusely decorated and furnished for the occasion, and presented a very gay appearance. The concert was commenced by Signor Susini, who gave a selection from “Lucrezia Borgia,” the grand aria “ Vieni la mia vendetta.” It was given very grandly, and then was rendered in a masterly manner a violin solo, “ Fantasia Caprice,” from “La Traviata,” by Maestro Strauss Ilia. The piece is exceedingly intricate, and the delicacy and nicety with which the more difficult and complicated passages were performed infused a little excitement into the audience. When Mdlle. De Murska next appeared the house rang with applause, even cheers. The “ Carnival de Yenise,” with variations, by Benedict, was the piece selected for her to make her debut in, and in a very few moments the audience was completely carried away. The ease and exactitude with which the rapid passages were executed approached tire marvellous—each note being purely and distinctly vocalized, the higher ones particularly so. Of course au eucore was for her brilliant effort vociferously demanded, and Mdlle. reappeared and gave “ The Last Rose of Summer.” The sweet manner in which this sympathetic air was carolled forth in no degree quietened the audience, for it touched the feelings of many who had been unable to appreciate the less familiar composition “Vieni la mia,” and there were loud calls for a second encore. Signor Rosnati next gave “Don Sehastiano.” This gentleman on his previous visits to Wellington so thoroughly gained the admiration of his audiences that his appearance was most heartily greeted. His magnificent voice rang out as clearly as a clarion, and the romanza was sung with fine expression. A speciality was the pianoforte solo of Maestro Strauss Ilia, “ Bonnie Scotland,” performed so tastefully aud brilliantly as to earn an enthusiastic encore, when the “ Banjo Song” was given. This closed the first part of the programme. Proceedings were recommenced by a duet from “Martha” by Signori Rosnati aud Susini, which, as also the next piece, a violin solo, “ Tarantella,” were encored, Indeed, the audience had now grown very demonstrative and very exacting, and each performer was perforce obliged to yield an encore. Mdle. de Mnreka's appearance was hailed by a shower of bouquets," and the splendid style in which she gave the aria in “ Linda di Chamounix” created a; perfect furore, aud the petite Scotch ballad “ Within a Mile o’ Edinbro’ Town,” was sung in response to an encore. “ Madamiua,” by Signor Susini, romanza “Non o ver,’’bySignorßosnati,andabuffoduet by De Murska and Susini followed, all of which were encored. Mr. J. P. Hadley presided at the pianoforte during the greater part of the evening, and gave great satisfaction. Tomorrow night a new programme will be presented, the well-known “ Casta Diva,” one of Mdlle. De Murska's specialties, appearing on the programme, with other choice pieces.