The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-02-06

A GRAND TRIUMPH IN MUSIc-WlLHELM
AND CARRENo.-The great Wilhelrni made
his bow last evening before an immense au-
dience Of Richmond'S best people, who had
assembled at Mozart Hall to hear and attest
the merits of the renowned violin virtuoso,
whose coming has been heralded by. the
plaudits OF almost the entire civilized
world. Much speculation as to the true
merits OF the artist had been INDUCED in,
and, indeed, he has been the topic Of con-
yersation in musical circles for several days
past. Those who had heard such celebrities
as Paganini, VieuXtcmps, and Ole Bull,
were ready to take up the gauntlet in sup
port of the excellence OF these artists in
Wdays OF yore" against this presuming
newcomer, and went 70 the entertainment
with the purpose OF instituting vigorously
critical but prediposed comparison, While
many more were prepared for anything
wonderful. As for ourselves. with the ex-
quisite notes OF so great a violinist as Lis
termann still fresh in our memory, we could
conceive OF his superior, but were open to
conviction and ready to Judge impartially.
Mme. Teresa Carreno opened the concert
with LISTS difficult IRhapsodie, Hon.
eroise,n Of which she gave an almost per-
feet Interpretation. She was followed by
Miss Kate James, who acquitted herself
handsomely, singing the old Scotch ballad
/ "The Maid Of Dundee" with great SIM
plicity and sweetness. With these two
members Richmond audience would have
ordinarily been more than pleased, and
given sensible evidence of their approval; !;
but on this occasion they seemed inditfer-
ent, and even cold. All was impatience to
hear the great Wilhelmj. All lesser merit
was forgotten in the face OF the coming
wonder, and the entire audience, to man,
seemed to feel the presence OF some great
power. At length he appeared, and was
greeted with a slight applause. With
Straightforward earnestness, and with AN
ease that was the perfection OF grace itself,
he opened with ;" The Grand Concerto y, OF
Paganini. With an audience disposed; as
we have said, it is not surprising that the
sense Of enjoyment should have been tenn.
porarily suspended in the mental effort OF
scrutiny. This appearance OF reserve was,
however, only momentary, for soon all Of
those present, the admirer Of Ole Bull and
the worshpper OF Vieuxtemps-and all
were equally filled with the consciousness
that they were truly in the presence OF the
greatest master Of the king Of instruments.
His execution is simply perfection in every
respect, and the beautiful tone he brings
ont is we might almost say Heaven-inspired.
He gave the most difficult staccato and oc-
taye passages with the greatest ease. No
| thing seemed difficult to him. He raised
| his hearers to such degree OF enthusiasm
| that they insisted upon an encore, not
only whenever he appeared, but for
almost every number on the pro-
gramme. We had always believed the
Violin to be the king OF instruments, but
never before had the fact been so clearly de-
! monstrated as in his handling OF that lnstru.
ment; for, notwithstanding Nine. Carreno's
magnificent performance (and she IS Ger.
i tainly one of the most thorough masters OF
! fhe piano we have ever heard), the great in
.Iterest was centred in Wilhelmi. In the
4 last number of the programme Wilhelmi
4 was seen at his best. Here he had full
scope for showing how thorough he was In
every possible expression the violin is ca
pable Of. His harmonic passages In this
/ piece we never expect TO hear equalled by
any man. They were maryeis Of .eXecu
tion, and his hearers seemed provoked !, tha u
The should ever conclude.i,ft!t "a. =, g
A Nine. Carreno very desergedly shared
4 honors with the lion 81 the evening, aad By
.lher exquisite playing and winning Wnys
I lhas established herself as q faYortSe will
tie Richmond public. :, ~
4 .t Miss James Possesses q sweet meZzu-so
I prano voice, which ilas evidently received
Thorough and refined schooling. i5t,.I. 3
4 Altogether the evening was one OF plea
sure TO lovers OF music tliat :sHHl long beIr
4 fmembered, and we win Reicanae with plea
sure an early return OF these artists. \
/ THE MOSAIC EsTERTATNNEsT:-The mex
i fanfertainnlent. OF the Mosaic Club Will q
giyen at. sginia Opera. House on ,leaasss
witch was 90 successfully performed oy
Z hamasa,,rs m f,f,Y al s0ua years since, vii