The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-10-21

If | remember rightly it was at Music Hall
You see there is q sort Of confused memory,
an incoherent recollection, IN indefinite idea
about this. The fact is my whole being was
so filled, thrilled and cnraptured with the
sweet, rich, luscious notes Of the fresh melo-
dious voce--which clings to me even now in
its impalpablc sweetness, like the fine aroma
Of incensc--that I hardly know how I went
or whence I came.
1t is always well to begin at the beginning
of anything; and with that idea prominent,
perhaps it would be well to give d short de
scription of Music Hall to those Of my readers
who have never been inside its classic walls
1t is q plain simple, unpretcndng booking
cdilicc--large, square and built Of brick-bc-
tween Washington and fremont streets. You
can reach it from the last mentioned street,
through q long covered passage; but the main
entrance is from Winter street The lower
part Of the building is occupied by the New
England Conservatory Of Music, Handel and
Haydn Society, dressing rooms, ticket office,
and large room known rs Bunstead Hail,
where all the rehcarsals arc held. The large
auditorium above is the one properly known
us Music Hall, and is as severely simple in
shape and adornments rs any Spartan could
desire. Imagine to yourself a plain square
room, with bare walls and flat floor, capable
Of seating between three and four thousand
people, with two straight, angular galleries
running around three Sides of it, lighted in
the daytime from the glass doors that COM
municate with the outside corridors, and from
flat windows placed in the roof the eve
ming from single row of gas-jots around the
c"illng, and two large chandeliers over the
capacious but unornamented stage, with
heavy wooden scttecs upholstered in red
leather for scats-and you have a perfect pic
ture, with one exception, Of Music Hall
The one exception is the grand organ which
in its vastness, grandeur and beauty, stands
out in vivid contrast TO the extreme smplici-
ty of its surroundings. 1t occupies the
height and breadth Of ono side Of the Hall,
and is correspondingly deep. And with IFS
huge domes, carved statuary, painted pic
lures and polished pipes, is at once impress
sively pleasing, and attractively grand. But
to hear its wonderful power invoked by a
master hand is grander still. Immediately in
front Of the organist's scat is a itc-sized statue
of Beethoven, in bronze
On the night of which | am writing, the
vast Hall was crowded to its utmost capacity,
and among the audience some Of the very
best of Boston society was represented. In
they came, one after the other-hc gentle
men rcsplcndcnt in white vests and delicate
kids-the ladies in full opera toilets of SPLEEN
did silks, delicate laccs, rich ornaments and
costly cloalls Of scarlet and white, How they
tossed their gayly ornamented heads, shook
their curls, tiirtcd their fans and said soft
nothings to their companions. And ali this
time we were waiting for the glorious Patti
to come forth
Precisely at eight o'clock the exquisite ten
ore, Herr IIabelmann, and the renowned bas-
50, Hermann, made their appearance, and
sung q Duet from AIoyerbcer's v Robert Ie
Diablo1 1t was grand, beautiful. and richly
deserved the applause it won After them
came Ritter,-thc eminent classical pianist
and charmed and thrilled our senses with
Verdi's graceful measures. Being encored
he again touched the Keys with his magic
finger. and out upon the hushed air rolled the
dcliciouSly enchanting notes of Wcbcr's Last
Waltz. How swcctly, plaintiycly sad it was
and the last note had 5obbcd itself away
into utter silence, ere the audience awoke
from their trance to applaud the man who
was bowling himself off the stage Then
Ronconi sung Elixir D'Amorc in his richest
notes and happiest style-invoking much
laughter with his mobile expressive face,
and laxative hands. And then, H. the crown
ing glory, the ultima thule of MI our hopes
came the long expected Patti.
Do YOU expect She sailed softly in like
bird in the air or i rosc-lcaf fluttering down
the wind? Prepare yourself then for disap-
pointment. She il fat and dumpy, and de-
formed from childhood, and limps or hobbies
upon the stage in the most terribly ungrace-
full manner. After she has bowed to You in
her pleased, winning way, she stands in
bent, STOPPING posture which is painful to be-
hold. She isn't handsome, but pleasantly
pretty, with white even teeth, fresh complex
ion. soft black hair and eyes, and superb bust
and arms. She was dressed or undressed-
whichever way you will have tin green
silk, with an enormously long train, trimmed
with numerous narrow flounccs. Over this
were a white pulled tullc skirt, trimmed with
rich lace and green ribbon. The waist and
sleeves, though scarcely pcrceptiblc, Were of
-ulle finished in the same manner rs the over
skirt Necklace, bracelets and gloves com
plcted her toilet.
She sings-and you forget the hidcously
ow dress, the delormed limb, the cramped
You hear only the
rich, clear, bird-like trils of that magnificent
7oicc-now bold and high like clarion notes, |
mon sinking into lowest, softest, whispering
,adenccs-skipping along in graceful waltz
ike movements, or thrilling your listening
soul with lingering, mournful strains And
he stands there so calm and still through it |
lll-not even painting as a bird might after
uch i gush of melody. But so smiling, and |
pleased and happy when the people applaud