The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-04-05

THE WHRAT-DRAsDIL CONCERT LAST
klGuT.-The event Of the season in musical
circles was the first OF the "Grand Eve
nings of Song" at the Theatre last night,
under the direction OF Mr. Leo P. Wheat,
who, as tue caterer to the refined musical
taste of our community, has time and again
RECALLED our people with the rarest treats.
The appreciation of these efforts was fully
attested on this occasion by the presence Of
a fine audience, despite the extremely in
clement weather. Though not crowded,
the auditorium, especially the dTess-circle
and orchestra-chairs, presented a scene OF
brillancy and beauty not often witnessed
within the walls Of that temple Of Thespis.
The programme, with but one exception,
was vocal throughout; and the selections
composing it, which were from the best
masters, displayed the fine taste Of the artists
participating in its rendition. 1t opened
with a piano and violin duo, by Mr. Wheat
and Professor Kessnich, from the opera OF
"Wiliam TELL" which was performed by
those two artists with telling effect OF the
singing by the Monumental Quartette choir
misses Swain and Redford, and Messrs.
Redford and Grant,, who, assisted by Miss
Sarah Wood, OF New York, closed the enter
tainment with the recitatire, air and chorus,
from " Rebekah," by Barney, but little can
be added to what has often been said in
these columns in. the past. They acquitted
themselves with marked effectiveness, and
were the recipients OF generous applause.
In their individual efforts during the eve
ming they were equally successful
The features Of the evening, however,
were the solos OF Miss Anna Drasdil. Ap-
pearing for the first time before an audience
to whom she was an entire stranger, and
none OF whom knew OF her merits rs an
artist, it was not long before her hearers
were convinced they were listening to vo-
calization rarely heard. She Is gifted with
a contralto voice OF great purity. rich
ness, and power, and when her full, mel
low, resonant tones broke upon the ears OF
the listeners in the charming aria mie
Fernando" from the opera OF La Fduorita,
each one appeared speiLbound, anda death
like stiffness peryaded the building to the
end, At the close OF the aria the fair de-
butante was greeted with perfect oya-
ton, and the many soto coce expressions
of delight fully testified that her triumph
was complete, and that she had won the
hearts OF the Richmond audience.
She gracefully acknowledged the eompll-
ment By singing the beautiful ballad g!
Cannot Sing the Old Songs" Her second
solo was the exquisite gem LORD, Hnom
NY Utmost Soul Adoreth,' by Hitler her
appearance on the stage was signal for
an enthusiastic and hearty greeting, and
when she had concluded she. was ac-
corded another demonstratiye outburst OF
rapturous applause. To the repeated and
prolog ged calls for an encore she responded
by SINGING, to her own accompaniment on
the piano, a song OF her native Bohemia,
similar i'm character to the g Home, Sweet
Home, !" of our own land. Her singing OF
this sons of her far-away home was exqui-
sitelv a,fect;ns, displaying, rs she did in its
rendition, evident feeling and the most
natural emotion. In her duo with Mr.
Grant, Grant ooh! Days of YOUTH from "La
Favorta she again ad es rsnsatss
before they would be satisfied.
It can he safely Asserted that never before ore
has 8 any any singer 80 iavorsbly impressed our our
muslcal. community upon aeoas; Dug
combines an admirable voice. superb eAs- 9