The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-01
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.
mad,IIe Nilsson.


The audience at the Academy of Music last
evening was not as large as those which greeted
Madllo Nilsson on her first appearance In this
city, but IL made up in enthusiasm what 1t
lacked In numbers, and 1t was evident that other
causes than lack of appreciation prevented the
house from being crowded. Many persons will
pay large prices on the advent of a celebrated
singer merely for the sake of gratifying GU
riosity, but it Is impossible that such fSrOre
as was created by Mad1le Nlssons first con-
certs could be revived in behalf of the same style
of entertainment. Concerts only partially
satisfactory at the best and the maority of those
who have already heard Mad'lle Nilsson are
more particularly desirous of hearing her again,
not in few disconnected airs but in a conse-
cutive work that will enable her to give fuller
exhibition of her powers than she can possibly
do in mere concert programme. The interest
OF the present series of performances thus far
centres In Handels oratorio of The Messiah,
which will undoubtedly attract an overflowing
audience, and il Madle Nilsson comes up to
the expectations that have been formed with
regard to her, a large attendance can always be
counted upon whenever she shall appear in
oratorio or opera, provided the prices of admis-
sion are kept within reasonable limits.
Last evening Made Nilsson's singing of
'Una voce poca ia" from the Barber SeUile of
bne ASIA Diva from AOTWu, anu Jne
'Bluet" waltz by Cohen were heartily enjoyed
by tbos, in attendance, and were literally ap-
plauded. For encores Mad'ie Nilsson sang
Swedish air and "Old Folks at Home" There
has been some ill-natured criticism with regard
10 the introduction of thssmelody, which we do
not think is deserved. The air is very beauti-
full one, without a trace of vulgarity; and its
very simplicity is one of its greatest charms.
Mad'lle Nissen shows excellent taste by giving
it, and the touchingly beautiful manner in which
she expresses the pathos of the words as well
as of the melody gives more real pleasure to
very large number of really intelligent people
than does her singing of more difficult and
ornate compositions.
Miss Cary, Mr.. Vieuxtemps, Signor Brignoli,
and Signor Verger performed their parts in the
programme last evening in a satisfactory
manner
Perhaps the most interesting feature of the
performance, not excepting the singing of
Madlle Nilsson, was the appearance of Mad'lle
Marie Krebs, young pianist who made most
decided impression upon the audience as an
artist of attainments. Mad'lle Krebs is
young and of prepossessing appearance, and
her playing indicated very high degree of
culture. II is not too much to say that she is
one of the finest pianists who have appeared in
this city. She has complete command over
her instrument, and understands its capabilities
thoroughly. Her touch is crisp aud firm
and her execution brilliant, and at the same
time characterized by all the solid qualities that
to the best musical culture are of more impor-
tance than mere brilliancy. Her playing last
night made most favorable impression, al
though she, rather unfortunately, did not appear
until almost the close of the entertainment,
and she at once took high rank in the estima-
tion> Of the best judges present as a pianist
of extraordinary abilities. Mad'lle Krebs was
in some degree indebted for her success to the
piano upon which she performed. This a
concert grand" of steinway's make, which was
brought on from New York expressly for this
concert and it was remarkable for the purity,
sweetness, and brilliancy of its tones. With
such a noble instrument Madle Krebs had
every opportunity to display the finer qualities
of her art TO the very rest advantage.