The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-29
LEO WHEAT. THE ARTIST.
A Rich Musical Feast at the Academy Last
Night.

The Leo Wheat Concert Company,
headed by the well-known pianist Mr..
Wheat and assisted by Mrs. Nellie VII
son Shir-Cliff. soprano and the Tuxedo
Mandolin and Guitar Club, appeared
before a small but most apprec.atve
audience at the Mozart Academy OF
Music last evening.
The concert was charming one both
in matter of selection ana their rendl-
ton. and all the artists received liberal
applause. and We're forced to respond to
enthusiastic encOres.
Mrs. Shr-Cliff is a soprano of extensive
compass of voice, and shows much study
and training. singing with the greatest
ease and hexibll-ty. and possessing a
pleasing stage presence, all going 10 make
her an instant favOrite with her hearers.
She sang the difficult "Bolero. from
Nerdis "Sicilian Nespers. for her nrst
number. responding with the ever de-
lightful Last Rose OF Summer which
she gave with great pathOs and express
sion.
Her second number was Meyer-Hel-
mund's "Canzonetta,' from his Mar
gitta," and was fully up 10 her artistic
work in the first songs. This she followed
with a bright song, Blue Eyes, gwen
In a most pleasing style.
The Tuxedo Mandolin and Guitar club,
an instrumental quartette OF YiOlln, TWO
mandOlns and guitar. played with much
power and sweetness together, opening
the concert with a selection from Nerdl :
I'll TrOvatOre.' embOdying the principal
airs OF that opera, OF when BulWeF Lyt-
ton said. "Of all the operas tnat VERDI
wrote, the best to my taste Is II Tro-
yatOre."
Then they played beautiful Spanish
Waltz" OF Favier and Lonsa well-kno~n
and popular WASHINGTON Post March.
besides the Medley OF southern AIRS
with which the programme closed.
And AAhaaff Wheat
What can I say Of him. familiar as
he is 10 Richmond audiences. further
than that he was in his best FORM, ana
played with all OF his old IRE ana pas
sion and intensity. bending loVihsy over
the superb Knabe, concert grand piano.
and bringing out now thunderOus tones
Of passionate force. and again rippies
and tinkles OF melody that mdue the
listeners think there was some Iairy
sitting there. ana reckoning music from
the slumberlng keys.
He played a Potpourn on airs from
Gounod's Faust first, and then the
dainty and delightful Suite from Delibes'
sylvia" responding 10 dem lnds with
"Minuet' Of the great Paderewskl, ana
a charming composition OF MS own, Inc
Spirit OF Youth"
Ills last number. double one. was
made up Of his waltzes, Girls or the
South. and his schottische, Men Lady,
named for Tom Pages heroine Of the
the grand finale. played with the Mandolin
and Guitar club. the Medley or Southern
Airs with more fervor and absorption
than he showed in anything else
For, were not those the dear familiar
airs Of the South. his South, no New
South" but the south Of Aud Lang
Syne. How the music r!ppled and
rolled and rose and fell. and how the
sweet old strains OF Dixie Sewaunee
River" Garry Me Back TO Old VIZ
ginia, Bonnie Blue Flag, Maryland
and the "Old Kentucky Home" sung
from the violin and tinkled from the
mandol.ns. and resounded from the gut
tar. and echoed and re-echoed from the
piano and then the music stopped with
a crash. and the concert was over.
Mr.. Wheat received an ovation from
friends who waited for him TO come
out of the Academy.
The company plays in Norfolk this
evening.
The very fine Knabe piano used was
sent especially for the occasion by the
house OF knabe q Co, Baltimore, at
the request OF Manly -. Ramos * Co.,
the Richmond representatives,.