The Portland daily press., 1875-03-01
The Complimentary Concert of the Ros-
sinh CIub.

SIM CIubs
The fast-falling snow of Inst Saturday was
not able to prevent the attendance of an ele-
gait and interested audience at the concert of
the Rossini Club. If the Society has any
"fair-weather friends" they can hardly be
assured OF lplaces, for there was scarcely a
vacant seat to be seen, so decided is the utter
est taken in these amateur concerts, which
have SO much social enjoyment in addition to
their musical attractions.
Saturday was chosen as the day to be cele-
brated, this year, as the anniversary of the
birthday OF the eyer-young Rossin, who closed
his gay, charming. and enjoyable existence at
eighty years by the almanac-eighty years
which gave him but twenty birthdays, and
through which he retained the vivacity, the
elan of his first twenty fortunate years. Ma
ture wrote for him an epigram when she gave
him the 18th of February as a birthday.
The cards of admission were given by favor,
the concert accordingly was emi-priyate. The
programme opened with the beautiful and
romantic Bridal chorus from Lohengrin, which
was sung with taste and care; but these ladies,
however charming each one may be as soloist,
need little to sacrifice their personal prefer
ences as to tempo and phrasing-want, in brief,
the prosaic, even mechanical drill of the
ordinary chorus, to ensure entire clearness and
precision. The duett by Onslow, exceedingly
interesting as a composition, was played in a
manner thoroughly artistic and satisfying.
For the aria, "Ah, s'estinto," was substituted
the barcaroe "La .notte BELLA" which, sung
by rich contralto voice of singularlr pene-
trating quality. received warm encore, re-
sponded to by the song EBAY of Dublin %
which suited the singers clear, emphatic style
still better than the airy boat song. The
caprice by Raft was played with much bril-
lance and force, and the piano passages were
smooth and liquid. 1t received cordial encore,
which ELECTED repetition. The song 'In thy
Dreams was very pleasing, and displayed a
soprano voice of facility, particularly in the
upper register The second part of the pro-
g-amme began with a trio by Campana, in
which well known and sympathetic contralto
voice was prominent Gottschalk's song, ooh
Loving Heart, Trust On" was sung with
sweetness and expression by a mezzo-soprano
voice, and in reply to the encore which followed
it was given the Scotch ballad, "Maid of Dun
dee." The superb "Lenore' march, fresh in
our ears from the performance of Thomas
orchestra, was well arranged as piano forte
duet, and although in exceptional passages one
missed the resources of the orchestra, the
march, skilfully played, with spirit and execu-
ton, was thoroughly enjoyable. The agitato
episode was well taken, and the original theme
promptly resumed. Gluck's scena, "Che faro, -
can never be too often heard; its simple, stately
beauty renders it lasting model Of dramatic
composition. Its rendition gave evidence of
some musical experience, and a powerful voice
which has received training. The concert
closed with waltz trio, sung very smoothly.
1t is thus, with somewhat of reserve, that
we permit ourself to notice this graceful recog-
milton which the ladies of the Rossini Club
have offered to their friends.