The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-12-19
THE CONCERT LAST NIGHT
A GLORIOUS SUCCESS IN EVERY
RESPECT.

Mile. Decoa Proves Herself to be Won
d~rfni singer-The orchestration tn-
der Mr.. shaw The Fiutist aud Mr..
Reinhsrdt.
The Philharmonic Orchestra Association
OF Richmond is a pronounced success, for IN
last nights entertainment IL scored tri-
umph that will make a lasting impression
on the minds Of ali lovers OF music. When the
question OF an orchestra Of that type and
singers Of such high order giving perform
ances in Richm nd was discussed there
were many doubts expressed as TO a salts
factory contamination Of the project. The
move, however, had many supporters nom
the start, and as soon as the public saw the
long list of patrons and patronesses they
were convinced that, il nothing else, the
first entertainment would certainly be a
financial success.
A short time after they began 10 learn OF
Miss Decca's triumph in Europe and New
York. and they admitted that the entertain-
ment would be an artistic success.
And as such 1t was. But 1t did not stop
there. Besides being artistically a SUCCESS
il was a social and financial one.
The culture, wealth, refinement ana
beauty Of Richmond was empanelled IN tue
four walls Of the Academy, and the singing
of Miss Decca brought many minds back 10
the days Of Jenny Lind and Annie Louise
Cary.
TIE FIRST NUMBER.
The overture Of "Oberon," by Weber,
was the first number and the play
ing Of the orchestra, under the guld-
ance Of Mr.. J. Emory Shaw, was reve-
latIOn. With only twenty-five musicians ne
INTERPRETED that composition with a mas
| terv skill. and shows musical depln oil
which even his most ardent friends did not
know. MIR. Shaw, in the selection OF the
| four numbers for the orchestra, showed
clear musical judgment. The pieces were
of high order, unsteady, but were devoid
| of that heayiness with which his men could
not have COPIED. With only four nrst VIC,
| Inns he did remarkably well, ana all
the selections were rendered wiih!a smooth
ness and completeness that was astonish-
Ling. Ii is a triumph for Mr.. Shaw. and in
the rendering OF the blue Danube waltz
by Strauss, he found in every heart.present
a responsive chord to the music OF that
dreamy, political composition.
MISS DEcCA.
The event Of the evening was, OF course,
| Miss Decca's singing, and before she had
sung a half dozen bars her bird-llke voice
had had its effect. and the audience sat en-
tranced. II was Miss Decca's evening IRON
that time on. and her Paris ana London
successes are not TO be wondered at. She l.
remarkable, and the clearness ana purify
of her high notes; the intelligence oil her
phrasing, and the deep beauty Of expression
made an impression on her auditors long "a
be remembered. She is fair and graceful
and has "A beautiful stage presence.
| Alter her faultless rendering 0i ale Pearl
du Rrezil' she received tremendous
encore. In responding with bow her
ewes caught sight Of about hall dozen
floral tributes held up 10 the stage 10y usners
She made "A rush behind the scenes Tor as
.istance in handling them. and Prof Rein
hardt for the next few minutes struggled
with the flowers. They were placed on the
grand piano, and Miss Decca than sang
EckeTt's Swiss echo Song as an encore
This composition was written for Jenny
Lind, and last night it received beautiful
and artistic rendition.
Miss Decca's second number was "Gl
Augui dInlerno," from Mozart's "Magle
Flute" This piece has range to hlgh !
and is full of the stacattO movements. II
was superby rendered, and gave ample
scope to the very high range OF Miss
Decca's voice. She was again th'
recipient Of beautiful floral tributes
and sung an encore. that dear Ole
song. "Way Down Upon the Suwanet
River In the singing Of the composition
she used the negro dialect, and the plainitiy'
melody was never better rendered. IL hat
a touching effect on many. as in the singing
Miss Decca brought into play the sym
pathetic qualities Of her voice. Ii was an
AT istic effort artistically executed.
THE FLUTIST.
Signor Carrona, the nutist, is an artistic II
I'm every sense Of the word. His variation
on Neopolitan airs, written by himself Is