The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-09-20


The large audience at the concert in City
Hall last evening and the interest and en-
thusiasm it manifested ought to be very graft
flying to Miss Juliet Henderson, the beneficiary.
The audience doubtless came with the expecta
ton to belpleased; it left astonished and de-
lighted for it had heard phenomenal singer.
There had been fear that the praise of metro
politan audiences and critics was too generous
to be just; but that praise certainly was not.
overdone. Miss Fenderson's voice is remarka-
BILE for its strength, purity, compass and sweet
ness. Her method though something careless
at times, is in the main good, and her training
has evidently been wisely directed. The sue
cess she won last evening was more than
success Gestinae. 1t was genuine and une-
quivocal triumph, and her audience, disposed
to be merely kind, was surprised into enthusi'
asm. If she wisely avails herself OF the indis-
putable capabilities of voice which is remark
able among fine voices, she cannot fail to take
her place In the front rank of American sing
ers.
The opening number of the programme,-a
programme which, by the way, was excellently
arranged, -Kingsley' pathetic song, 1.-THE
Sands O. Dee," arranged for a quartette, gave
some indication of Miss Fen derson's voice, but
scant justice to it, 1t was not I'm til her second
appearance, In the Non ttt sognio of Verdi, that
she made herself known to her audience. The
wide compass of cher voice, its phenomenal
strength and its sweetness in the mi ddle notes
provoked storm of applause. In acknowledge
ment she gave "Homeward," rendering it to
the great satisfaction of the audience, but with
scarcely the excellent execution which mark
ed her first solo. Her succeeding appe arances
only added to the pleasure of her hearers and
increased their delight. The "Bel raggio' from
R 1ssini's "Semiramide," was given with both
spirit and delcacy, and called forth an encore
to which she responded with Torrey's milking
song, rendering it with intelligent vivacity.
The strong and favorable impression at first
made was deepened at every temperance,
and the outcome of the concert an enthusiastic
recognition Of singer of rare promise.
Miss Fenderson's support was fortunate.
consisting Of TWO singers well and favorably
known in Portland, and another who won a
fattering introduction. Mrs. Annie Goudy's
pleasing contralto found the usual favor with
the audience, especially in the concerted
pieces. Her solo, a serenade, "dormi pure"
was unfortunately false in its movement, and
Jagged sadly. 1t nevertheless commanded
recall Ia striking evidence of her popularity to
which she responded with "Cleansing Fires"
finely rendered. M. Leon, no made his first
appearance in this city, won the favor of his
audience at once by his fine stage presence, and
held it by the display of a tenor voice which,
though faulty at times, was very agreeable.
He was twice encored. Mr.. Mcclellan, who
always wins an audience by the spirit and in
telligence with which he sings, and his evident
desire to please, was very warmly received. and
justified his welcome by his excellent selec-
tions. His "Nancy Lee was rewarded with
an encore, to which he responded with repe-
tition, thus showing that he understood the
meaning of "encore," bit of knowledge
which SO many of our singers have, nnfortu-
nately never acquired. Mr.. Kotzschmar's &C.
compartments were as ever, simply perfect.
Indeed that tyops without telling"