New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-02


Thursday evening the concert which
closes the commencement exercises OF
Straight University. took place IN the UNI
versity chapel. Long before the time fixed
for the commencement the building was
crowded, not seat on the lower floor being
vacant, and not many to spare in the gal
leries. The chapel seats full twelve hun
dred. and on this occasion couple Of hun
dredmore squeezed in, for "a: gnappe. The
only Instrument used was q grand piano, of
sweet and powerful tone. The per-
formers were, with two or three
exceptions, all amateurs The excep-
tions were Professors Basile Beares, v.
E: Mccarthy and A. P. Williams. No one
expects from amateur performers the scien-
tiAc execution displayed by professional
artists. II is only justice to those who per.
formed at this concert, both vocal and in
strumental. to say that the whole concert
was b every way creditable, and in some
respects superior. We do not propose to
give . detailed criticism, according to the
programme, but will notice only the more
attractive portion of the performance.
Tie opening and closing chsruses we're
sung by thirty young ladies, led by Colonel
Mason, with piano accompaniment by Pro-
fessor Williams. The singing, time and
tone, was excellent; but we.thiLk that the
addition of sufficient vocal bass, would
have greatly increased 1.-THE effect. The
"TNo Cousins" sung by Miss Anna Brunette
and Miss Fanny Hopkins, was given with
great spirit and dramatic effect. Miss
Brunette also sung song, Trust to Luck"
and Miss Hopkins another, 'I'll be Farm
erb wife," Both were charmingly exc.
cuted.
an tears pine for thee" and "Wait for
tho turn of The tide" were well sung by
Profession Williams; the latter of these
songs, however,, is, musicaliy considered,
not much.
Miss Sarah Dunn, Miss NJ. V. Marshall,
M,s. G: Riley, and Miss HorteDse Grips, all
sung the pieces assigned them with taste
and feeling. The gem of the concert was.
indisputably. the Duet Tender Blossoms
Miss Anna Brunette and Miss NJ. V. Marshal.
~ little girls advice to her doll, was sung
BY little Miss Coraie Mccarthy, accompanied
BY her father. Professor Mccarthy, on the
piano. This song was exceedingly comic, and
tie little singer entered fully into its spirit.
The French aria "Soupir du Maure,',
was rendered in fair baritone voice by
Professor Mccarthy, and notwithstanding
oAo sunx m
appear to beset most public performers,
with good effect. l.-.
We notice last, though not least in the
order of the programme, the performance of
Professor Basile Bares on the piano. The
first piece played By the professor, "Shoo
Fly" with variations, was splendid. The
players command of the instrument, and
conception of the subject, we're indeed ad-
mlrable; the more SO that he did not in his
variations lose sight of his theme, but kept
it constantly before the ear. In this respect
Professor Basle was superior to many in
strumentalists, who so cover up their sub
ject with incongrui:ies, that the variations
have as little affinity to the theme as the
sperm whale who furnishes the bone has to
do with the elephant who furnishes the
ivory handle OF an umbrella. While
we do full justice to the most excellent per-
Torrance of "Shoo Fly,n we regret to say
that the two other pieces performed BY the
professor do not deserve the same praise.
There was the same command of the in.
strument, the same facility of finger, but it
is this very facility that spoiled the effect. for
it altogether covered up the musical express
sion. Professor Basile is certainly supe-
rior performer, but like many other good
performers, he seems to sacrifice intelligi-
bility to display Of digital dexterity, so
that theme and meaning are lost in cloud
of roulades. Such music resembles the
forid oratory Of one who would use no
words of less than three syllables. Still.
Professor Basile is entitled to be ranked as
q performer of rare excellence. His fault
arises from being bound by conventionalities.
On the whole, the concert was very sue.
cessful, and gave great pleasure to the large
audience who attended.