The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-23
THE BATEMAN CONCERTS.
A Critical Analysis and n General Dis
serlattOn.


The first of the series of Bateman concerts
was given last evening at Musical Fund Hall TO
a highly intelligent and large audience. con-
sidering the unpropitious state of the weather,
which prevented many holders of tickets from
being present.
The entertainment was as superior as it was
rare in this good City of Brotherly Love, and
we may safely say that a more excellent combi-
nation OF artistic talent was seldom If indeed
ever, presented to Philadelphia audience. 1t
was not with this troupe as is too often the case
with others-one particular star shining radi-
antly and tTiumphanuy over insignificant mu-
sical associates who contribute nothing of the
slightes import to the entertainment Here
every performer, without exception, was most
thorough drtiste, capable in asuperlative degree
of verifying the reputation with which thew
came heralded to us.
The programme OF last evening was indeed most
choice and well adapted, an additional proof of
the sound judgment and discretion of the singers
themselves, which Is toe often lost sight of by
many professionals, apart from actual ability
and superiority in any special line of general
vOcalization. Thus, for instance, we frequently
fnds singers of fame, when keeping within
legitimate range of action, endangering their
reputation and greatly njuring their clearness
and sweetness OF tone, by essaying passages out
side their natural compass, and which can only
be reached by some artificial effort, readily de.
tectedsby critical ear, and rarely, if ever. de-
serving of truthful commentator.
The greatest anxiety prevailed last night to
hear Madame Parepa, prima DONNA and alleged
successor, by merit, of the Swedish Nightingale
So much talk has been had, and public curiosity
excited TO such an extent during the last week
concerning tins lady, let us first inquire-Who
is Madame Parepa? Madame Euphrosine Parepa
was born In Edinburgh Scotland, and IS the
daughter of Count Demetrius Parepa Walla-
chian nobeman of high rank, who left his
country for political reasons. Her mother was
lizabeth, or "Lisbeth," Seguin, sister of the
celebrated and popular basso, Mr. Edward
Seguir. The mother had beautiful voice, was
a fine artistic, and her devotion to her profession
probably Influenced the destiny of her daughter,
Euphrosile Parepa
Her musical education was acquired during
her long residence in Spain and Italy, whittier
her mothers musical engagements led her. Her
debut was made on the island OF Malta, at the
Opera House, in 1856, where her success was
very brilliant. From thence she took the tour
of the provincial operate cities, Naples, Milan,
Florence, ETC., and afterwards, with very great
success, visiting Lisbon, Madrid, Rome, Berlin,
Frankfort, and Hamburg, from thence to Lon
don, which has been her home for the last few
years, and, finally, her present trip to the United
States.
Mime Parepa is lady of large though grace
ful proportions, is very pretty, and carries her.
self with great ease upon the stage. Her voice
is a full, natural, and clear-toned soprano of
the very highest order of merit, and well de-
serving OF the encomiums she has already re-
ceived. Her appearance was the signal for un-
m:stakahly heartfelt and long-continued
applause, which she most gracefully and pro-
perly acknowledged.
Silence being restored, she introduced the
cavatina ''Ernani Involami," from the beautiful
opera of EYnani, by Verdi, in which her voice
rose rich and sonorous, pure and steady, throw
ing into the music a spirit and power which
gave it a marked vitality. She, in this first
piece, proved herself an accomplished artiste in
the tru.st sense of the word, and she certainly
is deserving the warmest critical applause. Of
all Verdis works we prefer B'Tadni, for the
freshness and the earnestness of its melodies,
the skiltul treatment of its concerted
pieces, and the massive grandeur OF its
fnales, with their thoughtful and varied
accompaniment. The nature and meaning
of the composer is most gloriously illustrated,
when his Ynorceaur are entrusted to such a
singer as Madame PaIepa. In the second part
she gave the "Nghtingales Trill" "a song appro-
| priately named) with perfection itself; AMI tue
applause which greeted her at the termination
showed how greatly and truly her voice, cultva-
ton, and musical intelligence we're appreciated,
AS an encore to this piece she sang the Scotch
ballad Coming through the Rye which she
gave with all the versatility, and decided appli
cation of emphasis, aud modest gesticulaton o
the "eentle lassie who loed sac weel."
Next in order, we will take Mr.. S. b. Mills
who has the reputation of being not only the
most finished pianist in America, but the peer o
the best players of classical music abroad. HI
performed fantasia arranged by Liszt iron
m..oHlTtoofne, by Meyerbeer, and solo entitled
Saprce Galop," composed by himself tn,
power of this performer is truly great
. u% possessing unusual facilities of exc
o,.ora,,ons ., ~ the performance OF octaves
renera'ions Oh the same note, extending an,
sweeping aIpegeios' horid Iegatos. and staccat,
passages-in short many of the s-n"In ssss"'',
ties which have successivelv ar,sa uiiou,
composers as Meyerbeer-in eyerv ,,a", -. ou0'
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