Lexington weekly intelligencer., 1885-05-16
The Smith Benefit Concert.

The A. w. Smith benefit concert took place
last Friday night at Kriehn's Concert Hall,
large and fashionable audience being in at
tendance. The hall, while lacking stage ef-
fects, is q good room for music, and was COM
fortably seated, the chairs not being jammed
together in the cruel way which Mr.. Hagen
very unnecessarily affects.
The opening was an overture by the or
chestra, Miss Kriehn being the conspicuous
feature, at the piano.
Messrs Conner, Chiles and Smith sang
very sweetly, so. Restless Sea-"
Miss Mary Weber's aria from Robert"
Meyerbeer. was very well sung Miss Weber
has pure, sweet contralto voice, and as Miss
hriehn's pupil has made wonderful pro-
gress.
Miss l.. G. Thompson, of the f. A. S.. be-
side being a most charming woman, Is u
musical artistic. Her selections were from
Chopin, whose writings are striklnglS Iuii oi
melody, rh ythm and harmony. Miss Thonp-
sou IS rendition OF Chopin possesses delicate
though powerful charm which arises from
her appreciation of his grace aud feeling, and
a perfect mastery Of the instrument. Her
poetry and rs correct rs the rule Of three, 50
that altogether her playing is most delightful.
Mr.. Chiies sang Miliarj's "Farewell' in
such manner rs 10 win the plsudits of the
critical sudience.
Miss Johanna Krehn sang 90, What Rap
| ture." and was rapturously applauded. She
tried 10 get OFF for n bow but the encore was
emphatic and she at last responded with. 81
sent letter 10 my love-" Miss kriehn has
been u conscientious pupil. both IN this c0uh-
try and Europe, anu is almost perfect in her
execution. Her emphasis is also correct, and
she succeeds in rendering her music much AS
one would suppose the author intended 1t
should be expressed. Some of her vocaliza-
| ton was bird-like in its melody, so much so
as to be startling. As well as we liked Miss
Kriehn in her debut, We are impelled to say
that she has improved-perhaps overcome u
little natural timidity, which will haunt even
persons of maturer sge. not to speak OF
maidens In the sweet blush of their young
wcmanhood. Miss Kriehn largely shared the
honors of the evening with the beneficiary.
At this stage of the ''eXercises" Brother
Jacob d. Conner mournfully recited the woes
of Lord Lowell" which were accompanied
by proper pessimlstic grimaces npOn his part,
and by orchestral grOans which were enough
to arouse the compassion of the most Obdu-
rate. After writhing through his misery in
extended agonies of verse the worthy brother
retired with a grunt that shook the ceiling.
He was prevailed upon by boisterous de-
monstration to return and moan some more
And Mr.. Smith 1t was Mr.. Smiths night
and the round of applause which greeted hil
appearance attested his popularity as sing
er. He sang his selection with all the effec1
Of his rich, full voice, and was rewarded witt
, an enforced encore, to which, like COY
dsmsel, he after-a-while responded.
!. Miss Lillian F. Thompson rendered hel
vocal selection very sweetly.
, Miss Kriehn's instrumental selections from
, Mendelsohnn, Mills and Chopin were ex
quisitely rendered. The rondo and the vals'
were each beautiful exhibitions Of finished
, culture, but the "Recollectlons Of Home
, seemed especially to appeal to the hearts o
, her auditors, by its sympathetic treatment
and by the sweet familiar chords Of its mel
8 ody.
Miss Jessie Atkinson one of the most beau
r tiful and highly cultivated of our young ladie
e sang, "Ah, Don't Mingle," from LA sonnan
bula," most delightfully."-. We are only sorr
q that Miss Atkinson does not oftener favo
q Lexington audiences. She has very purs
i melodious and flexible soprano voice, whic
has been well cultivated.
II The Bridges twin sisters sang several {
= their little selections much to the delight
a the audience, though they were both hoar.
n from colds and OverwOrk.
e The orchestra filled out its numbers qui
s artistlcally and was much appreciated by II
r audience.
:. We may say, taking one considerable
d with another" that MIR. Smiths concert WI
d a decided success from musical point
e view, Il very pleasant occasion TO those VIII
lie attended. aud = genuine compliment 10
gentleman Who has for years cheerfuly rsisi
is his voice In song for all sorts of purpos
. from grave to gay.