Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-05-21

THE GRAND OPENING.-Those who
drove to Plattevile to attend the con
cert Friday evening, were repaid in
several ways. We were repaid in the
sight of green hills and budding trees
as we rode through the soft spring air;
in our cordial reception by pleasant and
hospitable friends; in seeing for the
first time the beautiful new City Hall;
and in hearing the exquisite music of
the Hungarian Orchestra. The pro-
gram announced this entertainment as
the Citizens Grand Opening of the
New City Hall" We had heard of
another opening with the Mammoth
Uncle Toms Cabin Combination as
an attraction. but we suppose that like
Rip Van Wrinkles exceptional drinks,
that one didn't count We had
heard rumors also of n powerful "in-
Junction laid upon the City Hall. or
the citizens, and we looked in vain for
some evidences of its crushing weight.
But the Hall stood firm on its founda-
tons. and the citizens, to all appear
ances, were buoyant and as vet I'M
crushed. The new hall is one of which
Platteville may well be proud. 1t has
seating capacity of about eight hun
dred, is fitted up with the latest style
OF opera chairs, and its acoustic proper
ties and ventilation are excellent. The
stage is large, but as yet has only one
setting. and we were told that the
"Mapimoth Combination was reduced
to the extremity of hunting Eliza with
hounds through bedroom, and carry
on public sale of the negroes in this
same room, in which St. Clair and the
gentle Eva breathed their last. to the
melting strains of "Some Day. This
lack of scenery, however, is soon to be
supplied. The " Hungarian Gypsy
Band" supported its claims to this title
by the most unpronouncable names and
picturesque costumes. If they were
neither Hungarians nor Gypsies they
might have been, aud the music was
equally delightful. The feature most
noticeable was the fine quality of the
instruments, and their perfect accord.
The magic may have been in the hands
that touched the strings, but we never
before heard such pure tones from any
violin as Mr.. Olah, the leader and solo
list, drew forth from his Even when
he drought music from the dizzy
heights" there was none Of that stringy
tone so often heard even from the best
performers. M. Olah lead the orches-
ira, himself playing all the while, and
this is probably the cause of the princi-
pal defects we noticed in their render
ing of some of the pieces IA lack of
expression. An orchestra needs lead
er with u baton, rather than leader
with violin. The concert as a whole,
though, was grand-such musical
treat rs the people of this section are
seldom favored with. The cello solo,
"Schuberl's Serenade." by Csillag, was
to us the most charming performance
of the evening. The cymbal. sort of
either, which the programme explained
to be to the Hungarians what the hand
organ is TO the Italians, was skillfully
played by Nj. Horvath. The selections
were all excellent. though the program
might perhaps be improved by little
more variety. We hear that this COM
pany is partly promised to PlatteviIle
for the next lecture season. and we
trust that an effort will be made to get
them here in that event. II they come
they cannot fail to draw good house,
and to give satisfaction to those who
attend.