The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-04-24

The PHILHARMOEI CONCERT LAST
N1GHr.-The Theatre was filled last night
with an audience composed of the elite and
fashion of the city-an audience at once ap-
preciative and critical-to listen to the mag
nificent programme prepared by Mr. Wheat
for the complimentary benefit rendered the
philharmonic Association. The sudden rain
storm that came up just before O'Clock
kept many away, and but for this fact
the capacity of the building would un-
doubtedly have been tested. Wrapt attention
was given to the music throughout, and the
heartiest and most genuine applause greeted
the entire performance. The overture from
" Don JUAN" by Mozart. opened the enter
tainment with its sparkling and ever-fresh
harmonies. This was followed by the Bu-
gle Song" sung by the Association with
degree of artistic excellence, which plainly
eyinced what wonderful progress they
have made under their indefatigable director,
and was most enthusiastically received.
The " Ave Maria," by Abt, as sung by the
Mendelssohn SeXtette, was one OF those ex-
ouisite creations of that lovely composer
which never fails to win the applause OF an
appreciatire public, and in this instance it
came in for large share of applause.
But to our thinking the gem of the eve.
Mug vas the /" "Capriccio Brilliant" by Men
delssohn. This exquisite piano-forte work
was rendered By Mr. Wheat in the most
thoroughly mastery manner, and was, as ne
doubtless intended it, at once po"eriul
exponent of the zeal and proficiency of the
performer in rendering the werk of his illus
frious predecessor in manner worthy OF Its
beauties and grand stroke for the art OF bis
adoption, 1t fairly brought down the house,
and MIR. Wheat must have felt gratihed at.
the evidence of appreciation which his audi
ence gave him.
The first part Of the programme closed
with the "Soldier's Chorus" from Faust
and old and hackneyed as it is. was sung
with such feryor, and was so well supported
hv the orchestra and band, that it excited an
unusual degree of military ardor IN tne
audience. who would not rest satisfied With
out it's repetition.
The second part Of the programme opened
with the eyer-Welceme overture to "SeEnl-
ramis" by Rossini, and was rendered adml-
rably. It cannot well be beard too oi!en.
This was followed by the g Chorus of Pill
srims." from Tannhauser," BY Wagner,
which was sung as only the "Philharno,
MICS" can sing it. 1t is superb musical
conception. and furnishes o powerful argu-
ment for the emusic of the Future" as
sustained by its great High Priest Wagner.
| II has been sung before by the Philharmo-
| MICS. but never as finely Us it was rendeieu
| last night. ,,r
The next piece was the new and popular
| waltz from the comic French opera La %,
file de Madame ADgot,"i which ls now ali
the rage in musical circles, and was arranged
for this occasion by Mr. Wheat lor Tue
Kreutzer Octette. 1t is as fresh ana spafs-
ling as bottle of Peifer Heidsick, ano a-
though MIR. Wheat was compelled TO teach
II IN fhe octette in a very short time, it was
sung with all the elan and ardour the entl-
cing rythm of the waltz called for, and was
loudly encored. -,.d hr
The "Trio," by Reissiger, as played Dy
Messrs. Wheat, Kessnicb, end ThlloW, is
one of those classical but truly beautltui
comnositions which require no small degree
of cultivation in the divine art to eompre'
hend but it is hoped that 1t will not De
long before our people generally VIII iuly
ennreciate this refined order of music, ior
its effect is unquestiopably of nature tnat
both eleyates and refnes. 1t was rehdereu
in finished manner.
tho Rhinen the great national song OF the
Germans in their late war with France. 1t
was sung in German by the Phiharmonics,
and was accompanied by Kessnich's orches,
ira with all the ieryor of their Teuton SOUS:
II stirred the very soul with It's warmth ana
grandeur, and was q fitting close to TINS
truly grand performance.
We cannot close this notice without ex.
pressing our great appreciation of the good
tbese refined entertainments are doing. 10
our midst; and we feel sure that we but
echo the sentiments Of all who beard this
CONCERT when we say long may Mr.. Wheat
and his Jealous co.Workers continue to en-
chant us with such beautiful and chaste
music: for 1t is, beyond doubt doing
good in this community. 1t is hoped that
It will not be long before another grand sue
cess to the philharmonic Association cau be
chronicled. @' ,s.>4