The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-12-30

CAsELLA's CONCERT AT THE WASHINGTON HOTEL.
Have you never felt thrilling sympathy with
the soft melancholy that pervades 'the balmy at
mosphere OF lovely Italian landscape, when the
bright sun, dying in his purple blood, descends in
his temporary grave, and gives thus holy pledge
OF glorious resurrection
Tie same melancholy balances itself in Casella's
strains. 1t is melancholy, which gladdens the
heart, sadness experienced only by exalted spirits
In the zenith OF their happiness He plays as if he
would delight in mourning over a Laura, like his
countryman Petrarch-
Non la conobbe il monde, mentre Pebbe
Conobip TO- CHI piaager qii rmasi
The viooncellO is the only instrument which can
vie with the violin for the palm of supremacy In
one respect IT has decided advantage over it, in
being able to produce sounds closely resembling
the human voice. 1t is only to be regretted that II
does not possess more convenient shape; IL is like
beautiful soul dwelling in deformed body. But
who can think Of deformlty, when Casella raises
the voice of the silent strings?
We have lately had the opportunity of hearing
two artists, who are considered to have reached a
high degree OF perfection Those artists are Max
Bohrer and Knoop, and they certainly deserved the
high encomum the press lavished upon them. But
Casella entirely differs from them in his qualities
a virtuoso. 1t Is not his rare mechanical skill
which is to be admired-t is the soul he nfuses in
his notes, and considered from this point of view,
he is superior to Bohrer. Casela's performance is
personifcation of Shakspeare's Juliet; he plays
like true Italian con anore per amore-hls lead
ing star is inward enthusiasm, the reward-he strug
giles for is applause, heartfelt APPLAUSE and he sure
y cannot complain of lack of IT, Whereas Bob
rer plays as if he would give whole chests OF APP
plause for one bag of dollars.
Casella's style bears strict resemblance to A.
Batta's, the Belgian vooncelsts who IN the OPT.
Mon of his counrymen, occupies the left side OF
the throne, whose right seat Is Vieuxtemps' un-
disputed and justly acquired trophy. Since the
death of the much lamented genius Rhomberg,
Batta is reputed to be at the head of the living Vi
oil and Casella g his inferior N
y 1t is certain that Casella outstrips Lindley,
from her maesty's theatre, who enjoys a very ex-
allied reputation in London.
Mr.. Casella played four pieces, which, although
different in style, were executed with the same ex-
quise delicacy. The air from Lucia di Hammer
moor che a do spiegasti Pah, was admirably given
by him, avoiding all unnecessary ornaments, and
marking the lights and shadows with wonderful ac-
curacy. HIS sogno ALA mia patria (the dream of
my father and) is the sweetest elegy that can be
imagined it came like his Souvenir dc Genes from
the inmost depth of the heart, and went with equal
strength to the heart OF the listener: 1t is really
difficult to conceive how being slight and deli
cate looking as Casela is, can be possessed Of such
an exuberance of feeling.
Madame Sutton and Mr.. Wallace divided the
Donors of the evening with Casella. Madame
Sutton proved herself superior singer, as usual,
employing the beautiful notes of her splendid voice
with much Judgment, and never sacrificing correct
ness for effect. She was well received and de-
servedly applauded, which must be doubly crafty
ing to her, whilst the recollection of the excellent
singing of her two predecessors was yet fresh in
the mind of the audience.
Mr.. Wallace played two very difficult and brl-
liant pieces on the pianoforte, with the same finish
and extraordinary execution which characterize
all performances of this exalted genius be it on the
violin or pianoforte The numberless shakes of the
first piece and the frghtu skips of the second were
the we plus ultra of perfection. He was of course
stormishy applauded.
On the whole the concert of last night was one
of the most brilliant of the season and tDlerably
well attended. We hope that Casella will give us
another treat before he goes and in the while
we take leave of him with the beautiful words:
-" Parting is such sweet sorrow
That l would say good night till it be tomorrow"