The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-22
RICHMOND, MONDAY, JANUARY 22 il

THE ISACerRAL CoScERT At THE New RICH-
MoSD THEATRE on Saturday evening was, In
night largely attended. The whole dress circle
was full. The new lessees, Messrs. Grau
Bricken, have fulfilled, at great expense,
their promise, and have given 10 the good
people OF Richmond such musical entertain
ment az they have not had for many long
year.
The opening pieces 10 the first and second
parts and the concluding piece were orcnes-
trail. The selections were the overture OF
ZInpd, q pOtpOuri from FtlLSt, and the corona
tion march from the Prophet. They were per-
formed by the orchestra with their usual accu'
racy and finish.
The Sailors Salute Song" was sung by
Herr Wilhelm Formes, the celebrated baritone.
He has n noble voice, fall, rich and deep OF
tone. His manner is unaffected, simple and
expressive. The song suited the voice and
manner well, and called forth the applause OF
the house. His Figaro" was not so much
admired, but he appeared TO great advantage
in the duett from Martha.
An mir from Fagoritd was sung by the prima
donna, Signorta Aiosto. The aria was well
rendered, Notwithstanding the dif1cuItles
under which she labored. We learn that she
caught a severe cold during her journey here
in fact, she coughed several times during pauses
of her song She appeared to greater adyan-
tage in the light I'll baccio,' and III ooth
pieces was loudly encored.
Beware" was sung by Mr.. Castle. II IS
not a striking piece OF music, but II was
charmingly sung Dir. Castle did all that
could be done with 1t. His voice Is q pure
clear tenor sympathetic and OF great compass
He goes up TO B fiat without 6tsSsRo He was
encored and sang delicious little aiT III the
minor key.
A Young brunette, with 4 clear-cut face,
came out with violin This was Miss
Mathilde Toedt, the viOlinist. The piece
chosen was q solo by Haumann, and from the
first note OF the introduction 10 the last note
Of the finale The audience hung GREATNESS
with delight upon every tone. 1t seemed al
times so wild, so passionate, SO pathetic, that
the tears would gather in the eyes, and again
the notes would come lpaping and sparkling
from the instrument with the loyousness OF
singing birds Ii has been our good fortune TO
hear Ole Bull, Nleuxtemp, Paul Juien, ana
almost all the great masters OF The violin VINO
have visited this country, but We do not hesi.
tate 10 say that we prefer the playing OF
Mathilde Toedt 10 any Of them. She does not
work miracles on the violin rs Ole sBuii dld
with his tours De J9Tce but she goes straight 10
the heart. Perhaps we should make some
allowance for the novelty Of the thing and
her beauty, freshness aud youth; but we
believe that n blind man would have been
equally charmed,
Her instrument is q superb one. Under her
bow the lower tones have almost the TlchhesS
and volume Of the yiolOncelio, and the upper
ones n peaTlY sweetness indesCriUdDle. she
seems self poised, absorbed in her music, and
forgetful Of the audience while pllyiag-stand-
ing quite still, and running through the most
difficult movements with that perfect ease ana
grace that shows the genuine artist. AT the
pIuses in her solo the audience would DfeaA
out in thunder of applause that noIh!ns
could stop, except seeing her Ntt the bow win
her dainty air 10 the strings again. We advise
all 10 go to hear her. Those who fail 10 listen
TO her PLAYING miss IN opportunity tnat occurs
rarely IN q lifetime.