The New York herald., 1871-02-26
Music and the Dramn-Native ART and
Amateur Artists.

We have always held that there was an IN
limited supply of musical and dramatic talent
in the private circles of New York. We hardly
know the extent to which cultivation Of the
highest order in these two branches of art has
reached in our refined and intelligent families.
There are few households we may say, that
have not one bright star among them gifted
with luxuriant talent, which, if wisely directed,
would make its mark in the world of art We
are the more convinced OF this fact by the
number of amateur performances, sometimes
in public halls, in academies and conserva-
tories, and in private salons, which Of late
are attracting attention. The merit dis
played on many of these occasions is remark
able. Not only in music, which is the fashion
in society, but in dramatic representations,
which is rather of new growth among
our youthful citizens, talent of the most
decided character is displayed, proving that
music and She DRAMA native art and amateur
artists are in a very fourishing condition in
this great metropolitan centre. Among the
musical evidences of this we can mention
Albites, who brought out at the Academy the
past week Miss Nininger as Leonora in the
''Trovatore," very promising American
soprano, who has q bright future b.
fore her, and Signor Leoni (Mr. Ber-
thelot), who acted and sang the role Of
Manrico in style which surpassed many of
the weather-beaten representatives of that
much abused minstrel. Again, Barili brought
out last week ''Mara di Rohan" at the Union
League, where two ladies made an unequivo-
cal success. They were Miss Virginia Paris
and Miss Eliza Mooney. The latter is an
accomplished actress as well as fine con-
tralto. But one of the leading events was the
concert last night at Chickering's, where the
young prin,a donna, Miss Vienna Demorest,
made her debut. This is the young lady whom
Nilsson has taken under her wing, and whose
song ''Birdie" is one of the most successful Of
the Swedish nightingales repertoire.
The Rivarde Musical Club is another emf
nent society. Its main attraction here is
Signor Vilanova, pianist of rare ability We
can judge of him best, perhaps, by the fact
that he makes a specially Of Chopin. We
notice the Rivarde concert, which came of
last night, elsewhere in our columns A very
interesting amateur performance was given at
the Academy on Tuesday by the young ladies
of st. Stephens church. It was a little
operetta called ''The Culprit Fay," and it was
admirably performed. The Church Music
Association-which, by the way, ought to take
more popular name-is at present our best
vocal amateur society in the city. The
Euterpe probably comes next, and neither Of
them can be easily overmatched in Europe.
The Harmonic and Mendelssohn Unions,
we might almost say, are practically
dead, which is very much to be
regretted, because we cannot spare any of
have done so much, and yet not half enough,
for music that they should not be permitted
to die out. We remember the saying of the
Roman poet that "Art Is long and life is
brief!"
On the dramatic stage our amateurs are not
behind. Many parlor in this city Of late
has echoed with applause for such marvel
lously spirited acting by our private citizens
that many an ambitious professional might
envy. The sister city of Brooklyn, too,
is prominent in the line Of anna
teur dramatic performances. In the
week past and the week to come we notice
several very remarkable performances. One
was given at the Athenaum for the Church Of
the Evangelists. The Clinton Dramatic
Society, composed Of ladies and gentlemen Of
Brooklyn, and the South Brooklyn Dramatic
Circle-likewise entirely amateurs--gave
admirable performances at private residences
during the week. Our own distinguished citi-
zens, meantime, have thrown their splendid
mansions open to amateur art; but we do not
mean to particularize. The cultivation of the
fine arts and the sweet throbbings of charity
go hand in hand in the dwellings of our
wealthy citizens. We commend the practice
and hope that 1t will be still further aud more
relgiously observed.