Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-11-13
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

Us
was never before witnessed here except in the
case of Jenny Limbs first appearance upon our
metropolitan stage. The audience Numbered,
perhaps, a thousand, filling every portion of
the hall wherein one could sit or stand. and
embraced larger proportion of persons accom-
plished in music than ever before gathered in
q concert-room in this country. Besides the
large number of gentlemen and families con-
nected with the various foreign legations, there
are in Washington much larger proportion of
refined and accomplished foreigners, most of
them artistic employees of the Government,
than reside in any other American city Of the
population Of ours. Their identification with
Washington society, and the fact that the lat
ter is so much made up by importations, from
time to time, Of persons of mind and attain
ments making them more or less conspicuous
in public affairs elsewhere-of really cultivated
persons-have, together, stamped our commu-
nifty with critical musical taste that will be
sought for in vain in the United States out of
the District of Columbia
Miss Mays situation under the eyes and ears
of such an audience, not prepared to realize
that she was the superior artist they so unani-
mously voted her to be by the close of her first
piece, was most trying. All went to criticise
her severely, rs must have been evident to her
from the intensity of the gaze upon her, and
the rightly Of the silence with which she was
heard through Verdi's difficult and poetic cava-
tina, from Ernani. At its conclusion the yer
diet was pronounced with a heartiness of will
which took US by surprise, though no other
,loto 81
on finding her to be incomparably the best
singer now in this country Our astonishment
was, in realizing that such also the so unani-
nous judgment Of the hundreds of accomplished
critics by whom we were surrounded.
Miss Mays range of voice is not as extensive
as those of some sopranos we have heard; yet
with the exception of Jenny Lind, We have
heard no other soprano who sang every note of
her range with such faultless precision, grace,
and poetic effect. Her tones are exceedingly
melodious, rich, and pathetic, and she pours
them forth in csdences which illustrate to a
charm the idea of the poetry of music Her
cultivation is equal to that of any artist that
has so far appeared in this country-critical-
beyond our previous conception.
Grace notes are designed to be poetic embel-
lishments of the artistic designs intended to
be represented in musical scores-pieces The
audience last night felt the force of that
fact ere she had warbled dozen bars; and ere
the conclusion of her first piece, were complete
ly carried away by the effect of the poetic
taste with which she rendered them The
pieces she sang embraced wide range of
styles OF composition, and thus severely tested
her artistic skill and accomplishment; and in
rendering each succeeding one, she won greensr
laurels.
The Instrumentation of the evening, too.
was, as whole, superior to any other piano
playing we ever heard; for VIC never before
heard, in single concert, SO finished pianist
as Mr.. Palmer, and another so redoent Of pro
fessional genius as Mr. Sanderson, whose charm.
ing fantasies delighted all The piece selected
by Mr. Palmer can be played with so great
effect by but single other artist now in Amer
its author. Indeed, we ques-
tion whether there is another artist in the land
besides Messrs. Thalberg and Palmer who could
venture to attempt it before such an audience
We regard the residence and labors of Mr..
Palmer in this city as the most fortunate cir
cumstance in the history of its musical pro-
gress, for he is scattering broadcast the seed of
artistic musical accomplishment, that has pro-
duced wonderfully, even so soon. We regret
that hA does not appear oftener in the concert
room, that all piano players in Washington
may have opportunities to catch the inspiration
of his SO superior taste and style
Mr.. Abilities sang the pieces allotted to him
with grace and fine effect. He sings like an
accomplished gentleman rather than as an ar
list striving to make a sensation.
The entrance of the President in the concert
room was greeted by popular acknowledgment
of applause, which testified the deep respect
and strong regard entertained for him in this
community.
Hundreds went away from the door unable
to gain admittance. At one time, so eager were
the crowd Of respectable people outside, to
enter, as that they seemed about to force the
doors, necessarily closed upon them.
After such triumph as Miss May had last
night, OF course her concert must be repeated
here, for not a 1.-THE of those in Washington
have yet heard her who desire so to do.
The SMALL NOTE QUEsrIoN-SECRErARY
GCTHRIE.-We find in late number of the
Hartford Co"rant-an ultra opposition journal
remarks concerning ex-Secretary Guthrie's
management of his late trust, which deserve
republication involving an acknowledge
ment from such quarter that some-no, ra-
Their: much-gcod came, indeed, out of Dem
ocratic) Nazareth. The appositeness of Mr..
Gutbrie's well-balanced views concerning the
impolicy Of email bank notes. as made evident
in the present state of financial affairs has
wrung from the CouTant its well -deseryed Gu