The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-11-21 00:00:00

MR. AVANT'S. CONCERT.

It was gratifying no Monday evening last to see a
ihstinguished company in the front rows at one of Mr.
Avant'a delightful concerts, although the general public
failed to fill the low-priced seat, in the middle and at the
back of the room. Yet such a selection of artiates had
been made as should have attra.ted anyone who can eiijoy
good musk, whether vocal or instrumental. Mks Lamb,
a pupil of Madame Sainton Doiby, sang moist charmingly,
cultivated power being exhibited, and coupled with sech
natural freshness as is seldom heard. Madame Katow, on
the violoncello, by the wonderful tonea he drew from the
instrument, enraptured all connoissmra, and those who
like things out of the common had the unexpected
iiensation of hearing an unusual tone of voice in the high
falsetto .1 Mr. Sonthcott, from Winchester cathedral ;
and Mr. Avant and Mr. Thonie displayed their taste and
power of execution al the piano. Mr. Avant was first
the companion of Madame Katow in a violoncello and
piano duet by Mendelssolin, wherein the lady gave the
first evidence of her merits by drawing some remarkably
full and soft tones from the great viol; her rapidity of
execution, ' especially her fingering of the high notes,
were specially noticeable. Miss Lamb, whose agreealile
appearance at once made • favourable impression, mans an
air, "Che della gioja oppreeso," from Donizetti's "II
Purloin," accompanied by Mr. Thorne, and was most
favourably received. Mr. Sonthcott sounded his clear
alto in Pinsuti's 'What shall I singr and was very
successful, the audience being soniewhat surprised to hear
a man reach such high notes in such a style. Madame
Katow then performed two solos on the violoncello-
-Ist, "Adieux de Maria Stuart" (Niedenneyer), and 2nd,
"Air de danse du Dime. Siecle " (Offenbach). The pathos,
purity, and depth of the tones she elicited made everyone
pleased, and when she let the sweet tones melt away into
distance, the sounds becoming rarer and rarer until they
ceased to be heard, all were ready to acknowledge her
wonderful talent; Ate waa warmly encored. Mica Lamb
sang Sullivan's "Tender and tnie," and poured out the song
withauch pathos OA could only be expressed by one wh., had
caught the true spirit. [lcing encored, she gave "Jock o'
Ilazeldean," which was 'imply delicious, especially in
the lines—
" nut !ye sh!.l:,ot
,the tsar (loon fa'

For Jock o' Haackloan."
This was, in our opinion, the gem of the concert, and we
should have wished to logo it again at the close, that the
lovely sounds might remain as long as possible in our
memory. Mr. Avant brilliantly and tastefully played on
the grand pianoforte " Bens:use" and " Impromptu"
(Chopin), and, as usual, showed himself a true master of
the instrunient Mr. Avant'A "Stars of the Summer
Night" was essayed by Mr. tiouthcott ; but we should
wish to hear this composition done justice to by another
kind of voice, or after more rehearsals by the singer.
Madame Katow having again exhibited her splendid
the first port came to an end se great applause. The
first duo 'Polonaise," by Madame Katow and Mr. Avant,
not only exhibited the lady's skill to ielyantage, but also
the brilliant musical fireworks, no lightly out gracefully
, let off by Mr. Avant. bliss Lamb " Mayilew" and
"111111 is is my only joy," and although the style of
those pieces is scarcely so well Off that
naturalness whirl, is the lady' s pezuliar charm she was
encored for both, her pretty grace notes in the latter
being very attractive. Several piecm were played or
sung, with varies! SIICANIttI, by the .dlier performers,
Ma.lassie Katow, Mr Avant, and Mis I,ainb maintaining
and ailing to their triumphs, while people bemoan: critical
as to Mr. Southcott. But on the whole the concert was
Inset agreeable, and should have been a valuable help to
the musical education of the public