New-York tribune., 1870-09-22
MUSIC.
SECOND NILSSON CONCERT.

A second hearing of Mdle Nilsson last night
showed us no reason substantially to modify the opinion
which, with the enthusiasm Of first Impressions, we
expressed Tuesday morning. Her voice is something
so strangely beautiful that think OF comparing
it with that OF any other prma donna We have heard
greater arsts-Gr for instance, and Parepa and both
the PATHS all Of whom superior to Nilsson, not only
in the accomplishments of art but in some Of the gifts
Of naureyet does not occur to us to measure NlssOns
merits by theirs, for the difference between her and
them IA not much Of degree as OF kind The
fair young swede, with deficiencies that obvious
least experienced critic, has come to us like
experience and by the wchery of her wonderful tones
has taken us all captive No other phrase well
expresses the characteristic of her voice as absolute
purity; no other word well denotes the popularity OF
her style delcacy-a delcaoy carried sometimes 10
tho extent OF fault but according wei with her
sweet face her pretty figure and her graceful manner
that in the concert room is almost always delightful
and the stage it must be irresistible We say that she
carries delcacy sometimes to the point OF fault; and
this is because IL is delicacy OF style rather than
OF feeling, and the tenderness Tor, to be more
accurate, the expresiOn) which she throws into such
songs as Handers Angels ever Bright and Fair" is
rather musical exercise than impulse Of the heart
She is not in the true OF the word sympathetic
singer; she is not who easily audience
to tears many inferior artists can Miss Cary such
singer to some EXTENT Adelaide Phillips and Zelda
Scgun possess the gift in much higher degree Minnie
has 1t already. Yet Nilsson moves our sentiments by
the mere perfection of her notes. just as
sitive persons sometimes profoundly touched by
beauties Of nanmate nature. One part of her perform
ance last night for instance, cold and meaningless
piece OF art perfectly polished as to be absolutely
affecting. 1t that passage in the Sparg di quaiche
pianio from Lucia" where the voice carries Orid
and difficult duet with the flute. The wonderful purity
and sweetness OF her tones here submitted to
terrible test made all the in this instance by
the clearness and excellence with which the flute was
PLAYED and at the end her triumph reused the audience
to exciting demonstrations than any she had pre-
viousy awakened. 1t was striking instance of the
power of pure and pure voice TO the feelings
The company which supports Mdlle Nilsson during
this engagement s all things considered OF
able strength. 1t has mediocre members, and con-
tains several artists Of no slight celebrity Sgnor Brig
no being an old acquaintance has perhaps been less
noticed than his companions but that Is only because
his merits for granted, and enjoy his fine voice and
his excellent method Of producing it, without giving
selves proper trouble TO thank him for his pains lie
Is singing uncommonly well this season, and adding a
great deal the of Mr. srakoschs venture Mr.
Verger the baritone has very agreeable voice, and
sings with sweet eXpression but he was unwise TO
undertake last night the duo from the Bar
biore" with Mr.. Brgnon, for he lacks the
rs eomiea for good Figaro, on the platform There
no change in yeuxtemps since heard him Is years
ago. Tho same clear, brilliant sonorous tone; the
wonderful management OF the bow the came broad and
noble style, the exquisite cOmpOsure and the same
pure taste still make his playing delight to cult
waited In the history OF the violin, VeuXtemps
marks epoch distinctly Tartni, Spohr or
Pagann, and far distinctly than his master, De
Beriot whose fame he has fairly eclpsed. ole Bull
exceptional and wholly irregular artist has Of the
fire Of genius but less Of the perfection OF classical art
ole Bull. however, cannot justly be weighed
In comparison with any other player, living or
dead He is phenomenal performer and will
never have an imitator NieuXtemps is ON the other
hand great MASTER and stands at the head Of the
best school OF violin playing and will exert consequently
permanent influence upon the art. His Faust" fan
tasia last night beyond all praise The violin is an
instrument whose capabilities are almost unbounded
but In the NOHe daHOr Of Faust" and the
second movement OF the waltz, Mr.. Nieuxtemps
seemed 10 get at its very soul and draw
forth its full powers of deep and pathetic ex
preston. Miss Cary strengthened the favorable impress
sion she made Monday night especially with some
rather simple songs and In the Dormi pur quartette
from Martha" Mr. Wehli's characteristics are extra
ordinary facility of lingering wonderful rapidly ana
mastery the left hand. lie played fantasia OF his
own ON Lurline." which, as composition, Is much bet
ter than the trans, rption from Faust presented on
Monday. lie certainly has lost nothing OF lis art since
he here some yoars ago and rather think he has
even Improved.