Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-12-15
AUGUSTA LOCALS.
InE noeplcA coNceal



The NosIica concert al the Opera house
last evening attracted the leading society
people from the cities Of tine ksaneiec and
every sea, in tie house was occapish,
standing room oniy. A special train carrie
down from warerviile with Is people. and
the evening train brought from do~n-fiser
about 200.
The concert was tbs finest musical esent
ever given in the city. The audience was
appreeiafise, and such outbItrsfs OF APP
plsuse. even ~ the point Of furore4
were never before eqaalied here.
Many Of the companyihave sung in this
cits AMI are fayori,es, but Madame Nor-
,lica had never sung here and with delight
ful expectancy her appearance IN the
fourth number was awaited. Imagine then
the wave Of bitter disappointment that
swept over the house when Mr.. Luckstone
announced that Madame was suffering
from serious hoarseness AMI il had been
thought impossible for her TO sing. BIT
when he sail that nth her accustomed in
domitable courage, this being Maine au-
dience, she had decided 10 make the at
tempt, No sweeter singer than she the
world over and while it was evident that the
reference to her boarseness had not
been exaggerated the wonder
full gift and power of the woman was seen
in il ALL That bell like tone was impaired
souiew hat bu, it wa rare treat to hear
her. Her sweet grace and charm Of manner
made all amends. Several times in her
career, once before brillia't audience in
New York City, when similarly indisposed
she refused to sing. Nothing but the fact
that Maine was her early home and that she
never had appeared in Augusta led her to
make the attempt. Every one who listened
felt desire to express their gratitude to
her for making the effort.
A perfect revelation in violin music was
giyen by Miss Powell. Her stage presence,
so winning, womanly and modest, almost
prepared her listeners for the riches IN
store for them. What resonant quality in
every tone from her instrument, clear,
sweet, penetrating to the utmost parts OF
the hall in the softest notes What attack !,
What delicaey and breadth combined
Every detail was perfect, every effort was
as thorough as though she played before the
most critical audience in the world.
The ninth number created a perfect flu
rore and three eucores followed and she
graciously responded. The genius ard fire
of her playing is contagious and one only
need hear her To believe the prediction that
the time is near when she will be the finest
violinist in the world.
One thing should not be omitted, the
seventh number when Madame Norlica sang
a group of old favorites, Annie Laurie.
When the Swallows Homeward Fly"
Coming Thro' the Rye" and on the encore
Home Sweet Home" 1t was one of the
most delightful numbers of the evening.
Del Puente received royal
welcome and encore followed encore. He
responded to the first encore with ''faran-
tella" by Rossini, that charming melody
which captivated his audience on his recent
appearance here. Following the eighth
number the Barber of Seville lie was
twice encored responding once with the
Toreador song from Carmen. Miss Roll
wagon, the contralto, is possessed of a con-
tralto voice of pleasing rich quality. Her
songs were chiefly classical. Mr.. Luck
stone played his usual important part as
accompanist, as admirably as was ex-
pected.