Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-04-27
MUSICAL.


M'siE MINNIE HAUK In He,: CONCERT.
4 OnarminE Eatertainmsn, nJ Fulton Ops a
hOuse-The Vocslist's Ballad Singing
Her Fine support.
The largest and most brillians audience
that has assembled in Fulton opera house
this season greeted Minnie Hauk and her
company last evening. Not more was il
the musical event Of the season because
the general excellence of the dramatic pe;-
formances and operas presented hero dur.
ing the present season, which is about
closing, was not OF the highest standard,
than for the reason that the Lame and
fame of the celebrated prima donna were
sure to receive commensurate recognition
from her own intrinsic merit.
While it is reasonable to assert that q
concert is not as satisfying as An Operatic
performance wherein the singing is supple
mented by appropriate acting and scenery,
that comes with better effect when the
whole of play is presented, the powers
of the artists though necessarily limited
find ample scope for fine expression, and
if the enthusiasm of large and critical
audience can be an indication of wortl,
Madame Hauk and her company have no.
disappointed the public expectation in this
city. The leading interest, of course,
centered i'll this lady, but the appreciation
accorded to the others of tho company was
in no way chary. The programme
was opened by that exquisite
duett from I'll TrovatOre," that is i
musical norceau which has ever been
most popular, ''Di Nostri Moni," rendered
by Nile. Sail ard Signor MOntegriifo.
The lady has full contraltO voice, and in
her rendition Oi her part Of the evenings
enjoyment was exceptionally intelligent
and effective. She sings with an ease that
IN itself is entertaining, but she further
unites with 1t an Interpretation that
comes with tho most pleasing result even
to those who comprehend not a word OF
the language OF tho song. She does not.
however, possess 4 voice that is at COM
plete command in the upper registers of
tone, but she goes above the middle with
splendid effect, and secures the hearty ay-
prOval of the audience from the fact that
the compass Of her voice is in general adc
qaate to the requirements OF her renditions,
since she appears to essay ouly those
which suit it best. In the several times
she appeared last evening she met with
genuine appreciation and was compelled tu
re-appear at the conclusion of each of
her songs. Signor Montesriffo, who
was for several years with the
justly famed StrakOsch opera COMPANY.
has noble teEor voice, which he can uss,
with most artistic effect. A derogasion
might be claimed in the lOudness of voice
which he at first assumed, whereby Ee
created tho impression that he would tire
before the evening ended. But this was
apparent only at the beginning. He
naturally possesses a vigorous volume of
tOno, which in an unschOoled singer would
lead to egrcgious disappointment, but
which with the true artist is magnificent
in its expression. Where mOdulation in
any degree was required the genius Of
MontegriffO was obvious in Il perfect adj
Justment OF tOno, to secure the required
result, with the words and sentiment,
While his notes are not, however, excep-.
tlonally high, he is in no danger of mar
ring expression by his strength of voice.
since his artistic sense at once demon.
strates to him wherein nOisiness Of tone is
superseding musical expression. fie was
from the start favOrite with last even
ing's audience from his vivaciOus manner
and good humOred obedience TO tho re-
peated calls which were given him in re-
cOgnitiOn of his abilities. Nine Hauk
appeared amidst great applause, and sang
=" Angels ever bright and fair" from
Theodore, by Haendei. From her first
appearance she captivated her audience
almost as much, it must ba confessed, 10y
her charming manner, which unites in it
self naivete and aIchness quite indescrb
able, as by her singing. Her rich mezzo
soprano was helrd With consummate effect
last night. 1t is full and yet Sin
gularly elastic, with variety of
expression that is remarkable. Not
in the least is effort required, and in
portrayal OF emotion she is most
satisfactory. Her style is naturally dra
matte, but it is quite sincere, and il as true
and spontaneous as could be found in any
department of dramatnrgy, while to aug.
ment its excellence she invests it with a
delicious coloSing of palpable emotion, in
varied expression, that is enhancing. Ia
response to persistent encOres she 70
sponded with the familiar old ballad
OF 'Comin' rhro' the Ryo." In this bit
OF song she displayed a fine delineation of
pretty sentiment that was delicious in it's
quaintness and sincerity. while in her
tender diminuendo OF tone to express .,..,
significance of the words she eviiena..s
an attainment in that part of musical .en
ditiOn at least that cannot be surpassed.
In the scene from Carmen" which
seems to have been rightly selected
on account OF the combination of
emotional poi trayals in it, and uniustIy
from tho brevi:y Of it, she was supported
by SignOr Montegrifo. Perhaps it would
be more in accord with the general com
prehension of CONCERT performances if
NJ mo Hauk would choose 4 scene in " Iich
more of the melodies OF this splendid opera
could be glve1. AS it is, she has fire op-
portunity to display her ability as an
actress, which in her is undoubtedly oi
high order. The part. albeit these con
siderations were present, was rendsrea
with cOnsummate conception by both the
lady and gentleman. Not the least OF the
excellent features of tho entertainment,
was the mastery performance of NJ,
Sternberg, whose piano accompaniment
were of unusual merit and whose solos Sc
cured unstinted applause from the audi
encs.
MASONIC.
INSTALLATION OF OHcers,