The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-06-11

MISS SWANS 56IREE.-The annual SOirSe
musicale given by Miss Swain at Sanger
| Halle last evening TO her pupils was one of
! the most elegant and pleasant affairs OF the
kind this season has called forth. The hall
was we'll filled, but not uncomfortaDly
l.crowded, as the invitations were limited to
the Immediate friends OF Miss Swain and her
pupils, and only a few were offered for sale.
The company present represented the best
OF our society," aud as the ladies, lin
spite OK the threatening aspect Of the
weather, were in demi-cyenng toilette, the
body Of the ball presented a very brilliant
appearance. The exercises throughout
were Of nature to fulfil the highest cx-
pectation and give general satisfaction. The
young lady pupils, in their various efforts,
while not undertaking anything very ex-
traordinary, yet filed their modest roles in
manner that delighted their auditors and
| called forth the most unbounded applause.
The programme was 4 somewhat extended
one, and was still further heightened out
by the numerous encoreS and the ad-
dition OF one or two features. The
chorus, entirely OF female voices,
was excellent, and gave abundant
evidence OF the mastery training to which
they had been suhiected, and by which they
had so we'll profted. The young lady solo
ists, who each had piece assigned TO her
in both parts. OF the programme, were Miss
Mitchell, Miss Vnelller, Miss Hill, Mrs.
Clements, Miss Bowers, Miss Cone, and
Miss Wbtcomb. 1t is perhaps wrong to
distinguish where all acquitted themselves
so well, but rs the audience. by their ap-
pause and demands for repetition OF
the solos OF Miss Bowers and Miss
Whitcomb, were carried away by
their enthusiasm for these young Ia
- fhn
others to remark that, in our opinion, these
young ladies fully earned the appreciation
| they received; and especially was the cava-
tina from "Lucia" by Miss Whitcomb
worthy OF the full recognition it received,
as it was really the gem Of the evening. The
young ladies all exhibited great forward
ness in culture, aud Miss Swain deserves
high praise for what she is doing for
our city in the matter OF high musical
instruction. The ripest voice among
the pupils, and that OF greatest COM
pass, as being older than the others,
was that OF Mrs. Clements, who sung
her two solos with much expression, but
not exceling in this respect the younger
voices ard less mature experience OF the
Misses Bowers and Whitcomb. Miss Swain
herself, who is whole orchestra and chorus
combined, closed the entertainment grandly
with the waltz song, and on being encored
vociferously, responded with the " Laugh
ing Song" in which difficult little trial OF
vocal skill she acquitted herself most salts
factorly. The accompanients by Miss Swain
and Mr.. Renhardt alternately were on the
suDuued pnd proror lay to snit tho sruell
CT the Youthful Sooists. In the chorus we
missed Of course the variety which the
male voice gives to a full chorus. The
programme was pIeasuraby varied By the
introduction of very "smaIl boy" who,
in his prattliug, childish treble, sang an
amusing little comic song, and on being
encored gave Us another Of the same sort,
greatly to the editication and amusement OF
the audience.
1t was, in word, 4 most delightful en-
tcrtainment. and reflected great credit upon
instructor and pupils. The snbjo!ned let
ter to Miss Swain from her class fully cN-
plains itself:
RICHMOND, June 10, 1879.
Mss alice .SlcGin: The undersigned,
members OF your vocal class, highly appre-
cating your earnest efforts to make them
attain success in their musical aspirations,
do beg that you will accept the pitcher ac-
comDonyino this note Us 4 slight tcStlnlo-