Grand Concert.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3005, 2 October 1878, Page 2

Grand Concert.

The first of Mdlle. Charbonnet's grand pianoforte recitals and concerts took place at the Academy of Music last night, and although the-weather was as unfavorable as possible there wad a very good attendance. The concert waß a decided treat, and no one who had the pleasure.of being present would regret braving the elements to be able to spend such an enjoyable two hours as the concert aflPorded. Mdlle. Charbonnet, while being a distinguished pianiste, is the posSessor of personal attractions in face and manner which win the sympathies of her audience. Her youth would bespeak the fulleit allowance. for any; want of finish. 1 which might be expected in her performances, but there is no such defect discernible. She has the brilliancy and touch which are the offspring of genius, rather than the perfection of manipulation which is to be acquired mechanically* We may slate that Mdlle. Charbonnet plays almost entirely from memory, no{ once Jast night did we notice her using music. This, we take it. evinces a most attentive study, pnd.itf certainly enhances the merit of the performance, as it per* raits the artiste to N throw her. whole soul into the playing. The programme last night opened with a song by Mr Harding^ " Here upon my vessel's deck," a piece eminently suited to the compass aid timbre of the singer's voice, which is one ot the purest baritones we have heard for years, either m opera or cdricerTcompanies. That Mr Harding has never visited the Thames as a vocalist before must, be retarded as a positive loss, which, it may be hoped, will be made up for by frequent visits in the future. His voice is rich and full, and he sings without apparent effort, the upper and lower notes of a good register being equally pood. Mdlle. Charbonnet's first piece I of instrumentation was by Weber, and I of that delightful waltz time which distinguishes so many of Weber's composii iions. It eras exquisitely rendered, and I at once put the young Jady on good terms I wilh her audience. Of the other pieces 1 played by Miss Charbonnet we need not attempt to enlarge, but the rendering of the oid familiar air "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep " with variations was invested with such elaborate surroundings as to give it an interest not peilaining. to its own merits. So with " The Lastr Hose of Summer," arranged for one hand. As a piece of fingering and exquisite music it was unique. Miss H eville has a sweet voice, well cultivated and perfectly controlled. Her singing of " The Beating of My Own Heart" was the perfection of vocalisation; the enuncU- ' tion and expression being all that could be desired. We have noticed above Mr Harding's singing. We can only add that we look forward to hearing -him tonight with additional pleasure. Mr H. N. Montagu recited last n'ght " The Charge of the Light Br^ade" in a masterly style. Mr K. A. JR. Owen played the accompaniments to the songs. He was in good form, and the circumstances seemed to inspire him with more than his usual force. The accompaniments were so well rendered as to form no insignificant portion of the programme.! The second and last concert of the company, will be given tonight. •' ' \ |