Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-02-25
sorREE MUSICALE.

There was large, brilliant and appreci We
audience assembled in the Chapel Of the Au-
gusta Seminary. Saturday evening last, not
withdrawing the intense cold, and the COM
| mencement OF the Lenten season precludinR
many from enjoying this delightful concert
given by the pupils of Prof Hamer and Miss
Douglas. The entire performance evinced the
faithful and intelligent training which the
young ladies of Miss Baldwin's seminary re-
ceive. and the high aim of their instructors to
develop and cultivate q genuine love Of the
best music.
The programme was a choice one; but we
were wholly unprepared for its rare excel
lence; and the beautiful and artistic rendering
| Of so many choice morceaux.
The soiree opened with that exquisite ave
Branms," accompanied by organ and piano,
and this beautiful prayer was most charming
| ly rendered by those pure. fresh voices. de-
lightful Quartette came next. then a lovely
waltz by Miss howell, whose fresh young
voice rang out with remarkable sweetness and
purity of tone. She then delighted the audi
ence With that old-fashioned ballad as an en-
core, "Rory O'Moore", most .sweetly and CO.
quettishly sung.
A plano solo by Miss Rose, "Ernani". was
well executed, and especially notable were
her very brilliant octave passages with the right
hand, while the left hand sustained the melo-
dy. That beautiful Cavatina, Robert tot que
j'aime". sung by Miss Block, touched the
heart by its sweetness, power and passion; one
could almost fancy the kneeling figure at the
feet of her worthless lover, imploring mercy
and pardon.
This was followed by Raf"s "Valse Inn
promptu" rendered with brilliancy and pre-
cision by Miss Farnsworth. The Fishermen"
was delightfully."- sung by Misses WinkIer and
Bingham, and was q bright and sparkling
duette.
Then came one of the gems of evening rem
dered IA an exquisite manner by Miss Evans.
who possesses a highly contralto voice of
great fiexibilty; but all the technical difficult
ties of this one of Rossini's highly embellish-
ed Arias. were easily overcome by her well
trained voice. The second part commenced
with g brilliant and attractive Quartette,
which was rendered with exceeding vivacity
and spirit. This is very ingenious compost
tion, az two melodies are played simultane-
ously upon the two pianos.
Miss McGufin surprised her many friends
with the sweetness and brilliancy OF her exc
cution of that most beautiful and difficult
Waltz. by venzano. (Chantee. by Patti, in the
Barbier). Her response to the enthusiastic
and prolonged applause that greeted her in
that always charming Scotch ballad, Coming
thro' the Rye. was delightful, and a second
recall testified to the sincere appreciation
of the audience, who were not even then sat-
isfied, but reluctantly resigned themselves as
Mr.. Hamer appeared with the music of that
exquisite "Cradle song'' of Chopin that
breatEes SO sweetly the delicious slumber
movement, and was performed With full ap-
ff,rO of ta dal tn hu ffo1T
The Trio from Norma, ah quail vittima, (Oh
what a. victimD by Misses Murphey. Paulett
and Burdett, was sung with taste and feeling.
as also. Saved from the Storm, by Miss
Faulkner, though she was suffering from q
severe cold. Involvement Perpetuel", so Of
ten given by our best artists to exhibit their
fine technique. was ably rendered by Miss
Bingham, who combines great power with
delicacy of touch. and with study should be-
come a brilliant pianist.
Miss Andes held the audience spell-hound,
as her fine voice burst upon them in long
and sustained note, and through this long and
grand Aria, there was continuation of the
same sustained power and pure vocalization.
Her "Then you'll remember me-, recalled
twice. was sung with sweetness and touching
simplicity.
The closing instrumental duet, "Interna-
tional Fantasia" was most brilliantly execu-
ted by those two excellent and promising
pianists, Misses Bingham and Evans, and the
familiar airs rippled from their fingers with
delicious freedom and spirit, closing with the
the eyer.inspiring yankee Doodle".
Miss Baldwin can indeed congratulate her.
self that so fine performance can be pro-
duced In her school, and we. with many 9TH
ers, express our sincere thanks for the enjoy
mont Of the evening.