Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-11-16

Miss JULIANA MAY.-Editor Of the Star: II
was with no small interest that attended Miss
Mays Concert, last evening, and experienced
great pleasure in Witnessing the warm and hearty
reception met by the fair young cantatrice in her
native city. -, ..,.-..t :. .e-rp- tsr' ID
regret, however, that Miss May, as an Amer
lean vocalist, should so completely .confne her
programme to the elaborate music OF the Italian
school. | would suggest, in all kindness and
good feeling TO Miss May, that she introduce in
her concert, at least or two of those familiar
ballads in her native language, which would
strike home 10 the hearts Of her auditors, and
gain her position and popularity as vocalist
which otherwise will be dificult to attain. u ,
Those who have heard Jenny Lind SING
'Home, Sweet Home, 7" 'Coming through the
Rye and, above all, "Auld Robin Gray 5, will
not soon forget the breathless Interest with which
they were listened to, and how rnpch more these
songs contributed to her great reputation IN Eny
land and America, than even the elaborate One
ratio music in which Jenny Lind was above crit
icism. Those also familiar with Miss Catherine
Hayes Will recollect that, though that lady en-
loved deseTvedly high operate reputation both
In Italy and England, her true fame and popu-
ia'ity rested upon her beautiful and poetic rem
drring Of such exquisite ballads as 1.-THE Harp
that once thro' Tara's Hail. "The Minstrel
Boy" and ''The Last Rose of Summer
appeal TO those who were present last evening,
that when Miss May, in answer to the encore Of
her last sony, came forward and gave the simple
air "Home, sweet Home" she excited more in
teresi in the audience, and gained more position
as a vocalist than even in her credita BILE render
Ing OF that very difficult scena from ssErnapi .,
The opeIatc music, and particularly that of
Verdi taken from its position in the Opera d.
vested OF its dramatic accessories, and sang in
the Concert room, Is comparatively uninteresting
TO The majority OF Concert attendants.
i feel convinced that II Miss MAY, with her full
voice and correct articulation, was to direct her
attention to and Introduce In her programme
some OF the standard ballads of England Scot
land and Ireland, she would speedily acouiIe a
hrst-cass position and popularity which certa n
ly would be more creditable to her as an Ameri-
can vocalist, than being second: rate Italian one;
present in America, with whom as an Italian
singer, she must eventually be compared will
preclude her from ranking any higher.
These remarks, which may possibly be object
ed to by MANY, offer in perfect Kindness, and
from considerable professional experience in
Europe and America.
The ,psPers, perceive, speak Of Miss May as
the only American who has gained a musical
reputation in Europe As this completely ip-
nores the position Of two most meritorous artises
now enjoying flrst-class reputation in London
] feel it my duty to correct them. An American
lady, named Miss Lucy Escott, made her first ap-
pearance in Italian Opera at the Drury Lane
Theatre, in London, some two years ago. and
at once established her claim, before the most
critical audience in the world, to be con-
sidered frst-class PTiIna Donna Since her
first appearance, Miss Escott has sustained the
leading parts in both Italian and English Opera
throughout the principal cities of England and
| Is now &C knowledged to be the most graceful
and intelligent operatic artistic on the British
stage The other artistic aIlude to Is Mr. Henri
Drayton, gentleman well known In Washing
ton few years ago as a Clerk in one Of the De-
partments. This gentleman resigned his office
and went to Europe to pursue his musical studies
He was the fist American who became a pupil Of
the Conservative at Paris. After finishing his
studies at Paris, Mr.. Drayton went to London.
where he has fof some years back maintained a
highly respectable position Baritone singer
in Opera and the Concert room.
am, sir, yours, most respectfully,
.... A MusICIIy