The daily gazette., 1880-04-24
FIRST EDITION.
The Mcclbeny Family,
AND THEIR INTERESTING CONCERT AT
THE OPERA HOUSE.

THE OPERA HOUSE.
The McGibeny Family's concert at
the Grand Opera House, last evening,
was certainly the most novel and
amusing performance ever witnessed
by the people of this city. IL was an
odd sight to see an entire family of
accomplished musicians and vocalists,
embracing seven children, the eldest
boy of eighteen, and the youngest a
little mite of only five years, who beat
correct time on bass drum twice as
big as herself.
The family are not only thorough
musicians, but their talent is so varied
as to render their performances the
most attractive of the kind ever
seen.
Among the children they have
complete Helicon Band, led by Master
Frank. the eldest son, boy Of 49,
They also have a complete orchestra,
led by Miss Viola, young girl of six
teen years, who, IN addition to leading
the orchestra upon the violin, plays a
silver instrument in the band, and is
besides AN excellent contralto singer.
Two of the boys are also excellent vio-
linis's and all of them wonderful spe-
cialists in the different branches of
music. The youngest child, Little
Florence, years of age, plays the bass
drum in the band and orchestra, while
Little Allie, one year older, plays the
tenor drum in the band, and is an ex-
cellent character artist and remark
able musical prodigy.
| The fathar and m mothar III ract th a
movements of the children, the mother
presiding at the piano and leading the
ensemble singing.
The programme, last night, was AL
interesting arrangement, and afforded
ample scope for the wonderful abilities
of this wonderful family. 1t included
selections by the family orchestra, the
family band and the family chorus,
besides a number of specialties that
displayed the special abilities of each
member of the organization. Among
the latter, the violin performance by
Master Hugh was really remarkable,
his limitations of pig, and of drunk
en- man singing "We won't go home
till morning" being SO natural and
life-like as to bring down the whole
house in a terrific round of applause.
Mrs. McGibeny has a sweet, but
rich and flexible voice, while the faith
er is an excellent tenor. Master Frank
the eldest boy, furnishes creditable
basso, while Viola. the eldest girl, has
pure contraltO voice, ofgreat promise.
All the other children sing we'll, and a
"family chorus" is a rare treat.
A remarkable feature of these con-
certs is the correctness with which
musical selections are rendered by the
family band.
These selections embrace the pro
ductions of the best masters, and are
given with degree of accuracy thai
is surprising when the age and size oi
the children is considered. Altogeth
er the concerts are grand successes
and taken altogether the McGibeny
family are the greatest musical "hits'
that ever gave public performances il
this country.
The father Of this famous family o
musicians was born and educated il
} Western New York, and the mother
in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
They moved to Oregon several years
ago and have been the leading musi
clans and musical instructors of the
Pacific Slope for several years past
Both of them posses musical gifts of 8
rare order, and as their children were
born each in turn developed rare mu
steal abilities which have been highly
cultivated. A few years since the
family began giving cont erts on the
Pacific Slope and soon became famous
throughout that section. In the yeal
1875 the Educational Commission o.
Oregan sent this family East as the
representatives of the State at the
Centennial Exhibition. Just as the
family had started on heir journey
East a runaway accident cost theil
eldest son Frank the loss of his right
arm, thus making it impossible fol-
them to reach Philadelphia in time tt
take part in the Exhibition. Late in
1878 they began their tour eastward
which, from point to point, was mark
ed by a musical triumph almost unpar
alleled. The largest Opera Houses an,
Halls were found inadequate Co holt
the immense throngs which gathered
to hear this marvellous family of musi
clans.
This afternoon a matinee will be
'iven, followed by another perform
ance tonight. The people should turl
out in force to see these musica
wonders.