The Portland daily press., 1879-09-04
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
THE popwELL CONCERT.

THE DODWELL CONCERT.
A pleasant, cool evening, the facts that a
compliment was to be extended to a favorite
singer and teacher of this city, and that she
was to be assisted by Miss Annie Louise Cary
the strongest musical attraction in Maine
by Mr.. w. H. Beckett, who has but recently
returned from his successes over sea: Mrs.
Halves, favorite soprano; Mr.. W. III. Stock
bridge, an equally favorite tenor; Mr. Kotzsch-
mar and Miss Mary O'Brion, accompanies,
drew one of those brilliant and very large
audiences that are rarely seen in City Hall.
Our notice-we cannot say criticism, for a
complimentary concert is free from so harsh a
term, although in this case it might challenge
such proceeding-must from political pres
sure on our columns, be brief
Miss Dodwell was received in a manner that
showed the house was with her, and we might
add here that the reception of all the artists was
very flattering, that of Miss Cary, of course
exceedingly so, and Misses Dodwell and Cary
Mrs. Halves and Mr.. Stockbridge were pre-
scented with elegant baskets of flowers.
Miss Dodwell came to Portland from Hall
fax in the summer of 1876, and was almost
Immediately engaged as contralto in the First
Parish choir. Quiet unassuming and lady
like, with voice that has steadily improved,
during her residence here) ranging easily
from lower G to A, or over two octaves pure.
clear, and very rich in tone, and possessing, as
she does, conscientious feeling of duty i'll all
that she undertakes it is no wonder she has
won the love, respect and esteem of all who
have known her. 1t is our greatest pleasure to
listen to her rendering of the old Scotch and
English songs. She renders them with quiet
manner, and a simple pathos that does not
SAVIOR of the concert room, but rather of q
beautiful voice singing home songs in the
cleaning. In response to the encore she gave
"The Minstrel Boy with true expression.
Miss Cary never looked more charming and
her dress was superb. 1t was a cream colored
satin, beautifully trimmed with marguerites
and field flowers. Her ornaments were dia-
monds. After her delightful rendering of the
recitative awake Saturnia," and aria Girls,
hence away" with its flowing measures, its
delicious poetical flavor, taken from HandePs
"Semele," intended to follow Congreves
dramatic poem with its NEUROLOGICAL subject,
she was enthusiastically recalled and rendered
Claribel's charming "Bide a wee'' with voice
that was full of tears. Her rendering OF
Sullivan's "Lost Chord was given even bet
ter than last year, while Mr.. Kotzschmar ac-
companied maniicently ON the organ, Miss
O'Brion remarkably well on the piano, and
Miss Shaw plessngly on the harp. This num-
Der was properly encored. Miss Cary's gene
rous spirit was thoroughly shown in regard to
this concert, but it was with her a true labor of
love.
Mrs. Halves sang Rossini's "Ernani Invola-
mi'' splendidly. The natural strength and
beauty of her voice was well exhibited, to-
gether with Madame Rudersdorfs admirable
training. For an encore she sang 'When the
heart is young
Mr.. w. III. Becketts voice does not seem to
have obtained additional strength by his
foreign studies, but it has gained greatly in
style and finish. A violoncello would have
greatly added to the effect of Faurce's "Sancta
Maria," which was well sung by him, and adj
nirably accompanied by Mr.. Kotzschmar on
the organ and Miss O'Brion Oh the piano. He
sang Dudley Bucks 81 love thee" very
artisticaly and for an encore II shot an arrow"
Mr.. Stockbridge's sweet tenor was heard to
excellent advantage in the Schubert Seren-
ade," but violoncello would also have added
greatly to its effect. The other selections were
well chosen and well given Mr.. Kotzschmar
never accompanied better than last night on
both organ and piano, and Miss O'Brion fully
sustained her reputation on the piano.