The Frankfort roundabout. [volume] (Frankfort, Ky.) 1882-1908, 1891-06-20
Musical Matters i'm Frank
fort Forty Years Ago.

uuiihS UiiC pstSU low WoohS LII UlS way
of music of high order of excel
lence, not only as rendered by the
several most excellent bands, escort
ing the visiting Knight Templars,
but that given by the local talent of
the city which SO kindly aided in the
entertainment of the Grand Com
mandery.
Frankfort may justly claim the
right of being considered musical
city, possessing, as it does, not a few
accomplished musicians of note, be-
sides a very promising class Of
younger amateurs who are growing
up and who will do honor to the city
in the future.
In speaking on these matters with
one of our citizens who has been
somewhat conversant with the music
and musicians of Frankfort for the
past four decades, we are reminded
of the fact that the art aourished in
high state Of cultivation here early
in the "tifties," when quite num-
Der of soloists, both vocal and instru-
mental, gave fame to the place and
delight to it's music-loving inhabi-
tants. Some of the older citizens Of
to-day will no doubt be able to recall
a series of musical entertainments
given by the young men of that time,
associated together under the name
and style of prof Leo Nardi's French
and Italian Opera Company" These
concerts were extended through sew
eral seasons and were, from first to
last, largely attended; in fact the
audiences were limited only by the
capacity of the largest halls in the
town. The proceeds were devoted
to charitable purposes, the funds
being divided among the churches
to be distributed to the poor. The
last of the concerts was given in the
present ball room of the Capital
Hotel shortly after its completion,
and far eclipsed all previous efforts.
The music was carefully selected and
the costuming was gorgeous, partic-
ularly that of Mad. Eliphanti and her
train of attending Maids of Honor.
Several skilled costumers were en-
ployed for the occasion and the
effects produced were startling.
Very few of the performers VIII o
participated in these concerts now
survive, two or three only are living
in the city. We reproduce the pro-
gramme of the concert above alluded
to, the last of the series, with a list
of the artists, and some of the
notices of the press which appeared
at the time:
GRAND OPERA
AT THE CAPITAL HOTEL,
Frankfort, Ky, Thursday Evening,
April 18th, 1853.
The first appearance of Prof. G.
Grandisoni Leo Nardfs famous opera
troupe since it's return from a success
full tour through the principal cities f
the world. In consequence of the
by the Russians, Prof. Leo Nardi has
been compelled to return with his
troupe for short time to the United |
States and respectfully announces
one of their grand performances in
the city of Frankfort, the proceeds of |
which will be distributed to the poor
of the city and county.
The Agent congratulates the pub
lie upon the acquisition to the opera
troupe since it's disappearance before
an enlightened American audience
ofPane Henrico Henslenski, the Great
Polish Composer and Director, with
many vocal and orchestral perform
ers, late of Jullien's company, which
recently disbanded in Paris. The
director earnestly hopes that the
sleek appearance of the orchestra
will not elicit more than ordinary
curiosity as it has been lately per-
forming for forty successive nights
Sundays excepted) before his Maies-
ty the Emperor of Japan at Jeddo. on
all which occasions they were COM
PEELED to present themselves with
vanished or Japanned faces in &C
cordance with the customs ofthe EN-.
pire.
DISTRIBUTION.
On this occasion the following artists
will appear:
Pane Henrico Henslenski, Musical
Director.
Prof. G. Grandisoni Leo Nardi, princi-
pal Pianist to the Emperor of Russia.
Mons. R. MOreau Whole Toni, the Aus
TRAN "born" Paganini, assisted by Sig
nor. j. NOvelli Canoni Sig. j. MasOni
10 n |