The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-05-28
Isle OF Wight county. Death il supposed
to have been caused by beart-dIsease.

A GRAND M0ZART-MRs. RTCHINGs-BER.
NARD BEFORE THE AssocIArIoy.-Th Mo-
Zart Association turned out IN force last
evening to hear the grand programme pre-
pared for the musicale, and long before the
hour OF performance the ball, with seat.
Ing capacity OF one tbousaDd, was filed 10
overlooking. Not since the organization OF
the Association has its members enjoyed
such rich musical feast. The music was
all first class, and so varied In ITS character
as to meet with every requirement Of taste.
Our statement that Mrs. Richings-Be
nard is still queen OF song and a grand
lyric artist we feel satisfied will be tho
roughly acquieseed in by the many wit
nesses of her triumph last evening. Her
tirst number, the aria from Verdps Nubu-
CO." was happy selection, since IN 1t this
great soprano had fine field for displaying
her wonderful operate force and artistic
finish Of execution. This superb effort was
Justify encOred. and she responded by slug
ing with great simplicity and expression
the sweet old ballad 90 Charming Maid"
The number which followed this grand vo-
cal rendition was In marked contrast. 1t
was Loder's simple ballad "The Path by
the River"; and it Is not remarka-
ble that pretty little Miss Annie Schaefer
should have displayed some slight evidence
OF fright when she appeared before that vast
audience so lately enthused by the great
prima donna. The sequence, however,
must have changed her feeling OF uucer-
tainty into one OF triumph. With her beau
tiful face and winning ways she soon graft
fed the aesthetic taste OF her hearers, and
when the prolonged and enthusiastic ap-
plause demanded an encore she could feel
she had shared h0nors with The renowned
RIchings Bernard. The finished effort Of
Miss Mills in the difficult Polonase from
Mignon" added no little TO the pleasure OF
the evening, and she received flattering
encore, together with beautiful floral offer
ings. She is finished songstress, and has
fully established herself as a favorite with
the Richmond public.
The qnntette from Verdi's Louisa
Miller "-an opera which has never been
performed IN this country-was probably
the most powerful concerted effort Of the
evening. 1t is wonderfully novel and
dramatic musical composition. and while IL
was admirably rendered by Mrs. Bernard,
Miss Sbaefer, and Messrs. Hof, Bernard,
and Greensfelder, the effect wa. somewhat
marred by faulty erchestratioD, and il is, we
believe, capable OF greater beauties with a
more perfectly balanced quintette.
! The comic duo, The Singing Lesson"
between Mr.. and Mrs. Bernard was mimi
tabIy funny, and kept the audience in roars
OF laughter, as the music-teacher in this
p.ece. Mr.. Bernard, added but another evil
dence TO his recognized ability as a come
| dian, while his comic song, Little Fa =,
Gray Man." made his hearers laugh 10 de-
gree that was painful. lie has great versa
tllity OF talent, and whether as a vocalist,
| director, or composer (ls was shown in the
| highly-creditabe quarette from his opera
OF "The Dutchess," which concluded the
programmed, he exhibits decided ability.
! Mr.. Greensfeider's rendition OF The
Sentinel" by Watson, was greatly en-.
loved, and called forth a pronounced encore.
To conclude notice Of 80 charming an
entertainment we must again briefly revert
TO the Drteminent vocal and dramatic pow
ers OF Mrs. RichiDgs-Berrard. That she is
in every respect finished artist all who en-
joyed her performance last evening must
admit. She will conclude her engagement
with the Mozart Association tonight, when
an opportunity will be offered OF seeing hel
in all her varied qualifications. She viii
first appear in grand opera in the third ac
from "TrOyatore," assisted by the other ac
complshed artists who are with her; after
which she will be seen probably for the las
time rs the unriyalled Bnttercup.