Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-02-28

4 SoIRKE AT THE WESLEYAN FzMALs Ixn IrurE.-
The soiree at the Wesleyan Female Institute
{ Rev. VIM. A Harris, PRINCIPALLY on Monday
night last was crowded with visitors including
a full delegation from the Augusta Female Sem
mary. The performance was. to the writer, an
unexpected one, in the sense that specta tor,
who goes thinking 10 find one worthy of ANA
tours only, and 10 confronted with something
worthy, in its superiority, ofprofessional per-
formers. The programme was selected with ex
cellent judgment, having in view popularizing
high class of vocal must and at the same
time introducing two or three little ballads
which never fail to please the public. The even
ing opened, az far as the vocal performance was
concerned, with the song "Withhold thy tears
love-" by Miss Ada Pearce, and it was begin
ing worthy Of the entertainment to follow.
This young lady has = m.zzo xoprano of great
power and strength, in the upper notes, and =
finished method. The crowning piece of the
evening was "Nig h.fall and Darkness" = con.
certed piece by Miss Ada Pearce, mezzo soprano
Miss L zzie Patti, soprano and Miss Agnes
Furr contralto. 1t is rarely that three such
voices are grouped off the stage, and still rsrer
that the posessors show such thorough appre-
citation of the spirit of the music. We take it
that Miss Daniels the teacher felt jusihabe
pride in presiding at the piano, over the sing
ing of such scholars of these, two of whom are
in their first session The voice of Miss Furr is
most remarkable one, in its compass and vol
ume, and excited general comment for its beauty
and strength. The "Last Rose of Summer" by
Miss Lizzie Patti, was beautifully sung with
depth of feeling, and accuracy, that rendered it
a performance of high merit. The 'Nightin-
gale trill, sung by Miss Matte Bonner: showed
a clear soprano of great fexibility highly cult.
waited and was encored, as was "Alone witch
Thee" by Miss Hattie Lewis. A duet 30 Cara
Imagine" by Misses Patti and Furr was CAPT.
tally rendered The aria "But the Lord is mind.
full Of His own," rendered by Miss Furr with her
miliar ballad Irish Emgrants LAMENT by Miss
Matte Harris. and d concerted piece from tho
Tempest" were also loudly applauded. Of the
instrumental music the quartette from "Der
Freischutz," by Misses Jones, Dani4l, Noel and,
Patti WAS excellent, 'Last Rose of Summer" by
Misses Jones and Daniel and an overture from
.'Tancred', showed great proficiency in the pu-
pills and ability in the master, Prof. Schneider.
1t is after such concerts as these, that We rec
ognise, most, the debt our community owes the
ladies and gentlemen who control the schools in
our midst. 1t is by these concerts that the mus
ical taste Of our people is formed and not by cor
cerss Of distinguished artists that come once in
a couple of years perhaps. 1t is our daily less
on that educates us, and gives US our taste, and
il is our good fortune to have principals who
recognise the importance of securing the first
talent in the musical profession, to have the
creation and direction of these charming soirees
which give US this daily lesson. 1t is first
class instruction we are getting and one which
is becoming appreciated all ever this country,
| if we may judge from the distance some of the
| pupils come. One of the scholars at the Wes-
eyan Institute soiree was from Minnesota and
| comes from that great distance, chiefly on &C.
count Of her vocal education. Think Of that