The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-07

from Its huge cords with surprising skill and al
the rapidity Of manipulation so common on smaller
scaleboards, came in aid of the quality Of tone
AS whole, the concert did credit to the taste Of the
select ors, the talent Of the bensfarc and the abb
lities Of all engaged.
[From the London Times, May 2ol
The first fashionable morning concert Of the sea-
son took place yesterday, in the Hanover-squa
Rooms, before q crowded and brilliant audience.
The programme was rich in novelty and interest,
and Miss Catherine Hayes had the good taste to
pianoforte accompaniment for which our benefit
concerts have of late years. been unworthly dis
tinguished. The band, which numerous and
complete, performed the overtures to "oberon "
NJ. Silas Ia work Of merit, though inferior to the
later works Of this rising young composer), under
the direction Of Mr.. Lavenu
Miss Catherine Hayes, whose fatterng reception
popularity, sang ''Ah mon ils," from the Pro-
phete, +" Casta Diva" from ''Norma" and a ballad
"Come where sweettoned Iephyrs," by Mr. Frank
Mori. In the romance of Meyerbeer she displayed
the stained notes with singular purity Of intona-
ton. But it was in the Casta Diva" that she pro-
duced the greatest sensation, and on former
OCCASION porhaps has she sung with such force and
effect. Her expression in the largo at once
graceful and correct, and the cdbdiea was vocalzed
with ffuency that showed her perfect adept in
the tqarnya school of the Italians Mr. Morris bal
lad is very elegant trfe, and the young composer
do Justice to it. We shall not attempt to describe
the applause that greeted each of the performances
of the fair concert-givcr, which at the end Of the
''Casta Diva" was quite uproarious. Among the
novelties must be cited the debut Of Mr.. Augustus
Braham, the youngest son, we believe, Of the cele
brated English tCnor. This gentleman possesses
one Of the purcst and most agreeable tenor voices
we have heard rich and mellow in the lower notes,
clear and telling in the higher register Occasionally
some Of his tones srkingy resemble the voice Of the
elder Mr.. Braham, who has bequeathed name to
his sons which it is not easy to support with
credit Mr.. Augustus Braham sang the tenor
In both he exhibited great deal Of taste and feel
ing; but he has still much to acquire in the study Of
his art, which, with perseverance, under competent
direction, he will doubtless attain. lie was received
with great favor and literally applauded. Made
moiselle Anna Ierr, Qrom the operas of Carlsruhe
and Nienna,) is a phenomenon in her way. Her
first effort, aria from Mozart's "Clcmenza Iii
Tito" made little impression, in spite of curious
display Of enthusiasm the part Of tho singer; but
in the next an ar rare, by Proch. Mademosele
Ierr achieved somo of the most extraordinary feats
VIC ever heard from vocalist. Her voice is
primo of three octnves in compass, and in the
of her variations she executed arpeggios, Stacco,
taking in the whole range Of the SCALE and touching
the + in alt with a facility bordering on the mar
vellous. Without attempting to speak Of all the
wonderful things performed by Mademoiselle Zerr,
we may at once say that, so far us mere difficulty
is concerned we have never heard any singer effect
what she accomplishes. Aided by voice of such
unusual compass and singular fexibility, she exc
cutes traits dc Jrarours in almost ms great variety
as Herr Ernst upon his violin Whether her per-
formances be as agreeable as they are dexterous,
however, we would rather decide after fuller ac-
quaintancc with her style and talent. What, rs
well ms we could judge from the specimens of yes
terday, Mademoselle Zerr appears to want, is
decision Of accent, the absence Of which produces
a certain vague and unsatisfed feeling in the
hearer; and what she would do we'll to modify is a
certain abandon, which, though on the stage il
might be acceptable, in concert room has the
semblance of exaggeration. Mademoiselle Zerr
was immensely applauded after the ar rare, and
forced to reappear on the platform. II is as well
to add that in Germany she enjoys the reputation
of being the first brurWa singer of the day, and
that as the Queen Of Night in Mozar,'s "Zaubsr-
fotte," she has obtained very great celebrity.
The other singers were Miss Bassano, Herr Rel
chaIdt, Menghis, and Jules Stockhausen. We
can only find space to say that the last named gen.
tlcman sang two iiodr. by Nendelssohn and Schu-
bert, in highly finished and artistic style.
As our limits confine us to the mention Of novel
ties, we must pass over with single word ofadm-
ration Herr Ernsts splendid execution Of his Otcllo
fantasia, and his humorous delneaton Of the Car
naval dc Nense; be content to mention that Mad
anne Parish Alvars displayed n large amount Of
facility, and more than ordinary TASTE in her exc
cution Of solo for the harp, TO which the name of
Alyars was attached; and con ,lude with short
apostrophe to Signor Bottesini, who is a marvel
even in this age of prodigics, and something quite
unpf ccedented mt the time OF the Great Exhi-
bition, when tho wonders of the world would seem
to have met together by common consent. Signor
Bottesini's instrument Is the double bass. lie will
be remembered, two years ago, ms having played
once or twice in public, but not often enough to
make known bis remarkable and entirely original
talent. The double bass, we need scarcely say, Is
the most cumbersome and unwieldy Of instruments;
to play upon ii Mt ALL not an easy matter, but to
play with it,, does Signor Bottesin, Is something
quite unparalleled in the annals Of musical execu-
fancy. Signor Bottesini has not the deep and broad
tone Of the late Dragonett, but he has nearly twice
his powers Of execuion his tone Is varied, but pure
and singular sweet for the strings OF such an in
strument; on the first string he possesses what,
without absurdity, may be called falsctto which,
at times is like the soitest tones in the higher re-
giscr Of the yoloncello, and at times closely resem
bling flute, an oboe. something between the
two. His command of the finger board is astonish-
ing, and in his variations upon q fayorite Italian
theme, he played passages which, had we not heard
them, we should have onsidered impossible ON the
instrument But, amid all this lavish exhibition
of manual dextcrity, Sgnor Bottesini (who Is
known to be an excellent musicianl has
qualities that give him another claim to
admiration, To "sing upon the double bass
sounds like u paradox; but more tender and
graceful expression could scarcely have proceeded
from the lips Of the most accomplished vocalist than
developed in his performance ofthe simple can.
Hsna which formed the subject Of his variations.
indeed, his manner Or phrasing, and his unaffected
sentiment appeal rs directly TO the heart ne hi pro-
digious execution surprises the car and pcrpexcs
the understanding. Signor bottesini produced a
sensation commensurate with his very remarkable
powers, and was automatically applaudcd aud re-
called into the orchestra by the whole audience.
What next phenomenon shall We have. IN the must
cal line, during the time Of the Great Exhibition
Mr. Lavcnu conducted and Mr. Willy led the
band throughout the concert, which. though exces-
sivcly long gave general satisfaction.
Prom the London Timcsl
PRIVATE rnEArRiChi.~ AZ uEvoNSniRr MOI 81.
The frs; Performance for the benefit Of the Lite
fary Guild took place in one Of the drawing rooms
of tho Duke Of Dcvonshire's residence. The pro-
scenium and arrangements for scenery were GO n.
rlctc; royal box erected for Her Majesty and
Iarty one side Of the room, and the rest Of the
company wcrc distributed chairs and benches
Not whs,snding the high price Of the tickets, the
room was quite full, and perhaps 50 brilliant the
atrical audience was never assembled out 81 Wind
sor. The receipts were about e.
The piece performed was a nov comedy by III
EDWARD Bulwcr 10y ton, entitled - Not 80 lad n
We Seem or, Many Sides to a Chiraeler.' w
reprint from the programme the cast and the list Q
, ctncry
Tho Duke cf Middlesox. Mr. Frank stone.