The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-06-30

by our pre- announcement of the extraordinary qua
lities of Signora CASTELAR, as an operate singer
We do not say they were not disappointed, for the
unfortunately superlative eulogies which are be-
slowed in advance, by the press in general upon all
new candidates for popularity in music and the
drama, may have led them to suppose that our ar
ticle was merely of the customary kind We have,
however, in this instance, in most others, just
fled our claim TO confidence. The Apollo Saloon
was well filled, with highly fashionable and criti
cal audience, through the interest bespoken by our
columns alone. Among the company were to be
seen the well-known faces of all our principal diHet
tamil and Professors, both foreign and native, in
GLIDING Mesdames Calve, Sutton, Horn, Otto,
Maroncelli, Miss Clifton, &c. land Madame Chigaray
was there with all the senior pupils OF her fashion
able seminary.
Messieurs Timm and King introduced the pro-
gramme with splendid Duet on the piano forte,
and were followed by Signor Giampietro, in the
Aria finale " Fra POGO me ricovero," from the
Lucia di LamermooY He is singer Of great cor
rectness in taste, with inadequate voice, appa-
rently reduced by influenza.
The Souvenir de Bellini, grand fantasia on the
air " Tu vedrai la sventura," from II Pirata, was
inlmitably executed sort of oboe, by Signor
Paggi and was as well received as any thing could,
or ought to be, from such an instrument, by whom
soever played 1t was not perfect oboe, but some
nondescrlpt monster ingeniously generated between
the clarionet, basoon, ea.serpent, and fageolet
and which was evidently of too mixed parentage
to appear in decent society solo under any cir
cumstances whatever. Signor Paggi has INDUCED
In an ambition as safe, perhaps as is singular, in
seeking distinction upon an instrument which none
but company of Callibans would understand. And
then came SIaNoRA CASTELAR,.
She did not make her debut in the Polacca from
81 Purtani," as printed in the programme, but in
the Aria finale "Ardon 81 'nunzi," from the Lucia
di Lamermoor She had not executed single
bar. unpretending as is the commencement of this
Aria, before the whole audience was in a gasp of
establishment at the surprising qualities of her
voice. There were tones as if brought from other
spheres, when compared with those to which the
ear had been accustomed-pure, glowing and
mellow-and yet as effortless as the respiration of
luxurious repose. 1t had the effect upon the cult
waited ear that singulary beautiful luminosity has
upon the eye, and as she advanced through the
more diversified passages, surprise was enhanced
to fixed asonisLment. Every one felt that gifted
favorite of nature had Unexpectedly appeared
among us, even before sufficient opportunity had
been afforded Judge of the extent of her acqusi-
IL. lM0tOfQn
heard In spontaneous whisper, from every part of
the room, evidently in reference to Castean's
voice itself, before any thing else could have
been determined, and soon it became difficult for
even the most experienced listeners to refrain from
expressions of rapture before the proper pauses |
sanctioned the indulgence. But the first part of the
concert having closed with this triumphant debut, |
the critical conversations Immediately succeeded
he onth Job Oh
rarily retired.
Slgnora CASTELAR, is very young looking, sim
guary fair lovely and graceful creature rather Pc
tie in stature. charming figure, most simply atr-
ed, maldenly and unassuming in manners without
the slightest grimace even in executing the most
arduous difficulties of her art; and she instantly i'm
pr uses the spectator aswel the auditor that she
blends the modesty with the aspirations of genius
The permanent impression created by her singing,
is that of wonder at her perfection and transcendant
skill as a whole-that is, in every thing she does
Besides this, she exhibits originaties, inseparabe
perhaps, from genius of very high order, in every
branch OF the musical task before her. Her own
mind presdes each and all and without introdu
cling excentricities to relieve commonplace, she
elevates the most familiar passages by the superiori-
ty OF her own views and high Developments. In
one particular she displays an unexampled natural
power, as well as originality Of thought, and that is
In what is technically termed the sostenuto-the
power Of completely holding note at high range
in the scale above another to which she descends
and which she assumes with magical perfection
OF transition which mere art has never yet accom-
plished the rmness of retention being equal to the
vigor of the new grasp The compass of her voice
is indeed truly extraordinary, the most refined
traho being executed with full, clear and even
sweetness and dlstinctness while the deepest sopra-
no is fahomed with confident and unembarassed
power which would excite admiration even without
the contrast The shake, the trill, and the ascend
ing and descending semi tones of the entire scale,
were achieved with infallible precision and with
consummate ease which relieved the most fastd-
sus;and apprehensive connolsseurs OF all misrust.
There were heathful elasticity and bounding
pulsation in the varied tones of every passage as
distinct from ordinary and artificial resources as
they were seemingly devoid OF effort and although
her musical education has been assiduously cult
waited under the first masters OF Italy, its fruits were
happily veed, they ought to be- beneath the pro-
fuse flowers and foage of her still greater genius
In the second part of the Concert, she sang the
Grand Duetto, "Tu Sciagurato" from II Pirate, with
Sig Giampetro, and it was inexpressbly beautiful.
She then sung the Polacca, ''Son Vergin Vezzo-
"a" from the same opera. Paggi appeared again
with his favorite tube, and heard with increased
applause. Sgnora CASTELAR, closed the Concert
with that well known and extremely delightful
Rondo, "Ah! non credea mirart,' from La Son.
nambula, in which she had opportunity of dis
playing as in casket of Jewels the whole series of
her previous brilliant effects, and of reviving every
point of admiration that had been before 80 wildly
enkindled The entire audience simultaneously
arose by common and involuntary impulse, in a
burst of irrepressibe enthusiasm; and, acquies-
cling in the call, she appeared before them with ap-
parent emotion, amid the waving of hats, handker
chiefs and hands, and the applause continued for
long time after she had again retired