The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-06-25
THE POTVIN CONCERT.
Splendid Audience Pays Trib-
ute TO Her Genius.
RECEPTION TO A MUSICIAN,
Seattie's Best Musical Talent on Ex-
hfbition-They Assist I'm Making
the AFFAIR q success.

A most representative audience gather
ea ar The Seattle theater last evening 70
welcane Miss May Potyin. and 10 extend
20 her 3 public expression of the approval
in which she is held bv her many friends
in this city. and the satisfaction felt al her
splendid success IN the musical world.
The audience was particularly representa-
tive IN the respect OF its personnel in
Guiding. as il did. the wealth and fashion
OF Seattle. and more particularly mat
portion OF society that II strictly musical
in its tastes. and which has stamped Itself
as music-lovlng and critical TO a degree
The occasion was made more of a society
event than any function % the year 10
which Seatfle's inner circles have contrib
uted their presence. by the musicians
who assisted Miss Potvin in rendering a
programme covering wide range OF COM
position Besides the recipient OF the tes-
tsuoniai. the interest possibly conferred in
Miss Grace Koch. who made her first pub
lie appearance. as a singer. since her re-
turn from study at the conservatory at
Leipsic. Mrs. William Whittlesey. whose
magnificent contralto voice has often been
heard TO advantage In this city. was also
on the programme for two numbers. and
her reception was an attestation OF her
personal popularity and the esteem in
which she Is held as vocalist
In the body Of the theater there was a
splendid showing OF well dressed men and
women, who exhibited throughout an in
terestsd appreciation Of the programme.
The stage was prettily arranged with a
box setting. with graceful draperies at the
rear. the sides fanked with mirrors and
cabinets and banked with a profusion OF
flowers. contributed by Miss Potvin's
friends and former punsls.
Miss Potyin was enthusiastically receiv-
ed upon her first entrance. She lowed
gracefully. Immediately seating herself at
the Weber grand piano. In the center OF
the stage and PLAYED the first movement
OF Schumann's fantasia COP. III. When
the applause ceased the second movement
OF the same theme was taken up exhib-
ting a remarkable change in technique.
and a capacity for delicate shading. The
numbers were applauded. and Miss Pot
wins success was assured. Tribute was
paid TO her genius by several magnificent
floral pieces, which were handed over the
footlights.
Mrs Whttleseys first number was Carl
Bohm's Thine" top- go. No. 8. and for
an encore that the audience demanded
she sang that dainty bit OF Theodore Mar
ziafs. MY Love Is Come" Both of the
numbers were sung in splendid voice. de-
spite the fact that Mrs. Whittlesey was
recovering from a severe cold.
The programme announced three num-
bers from Chopin. by Miss Potvin. who
bly,, the most brilliantly executed number
being the waltz in @ Flat" followed by
a delicate playing OF the "Ballade" Top.
S. No -, By the same composer
Expectancy as 10 Miss kochs singing
was amply satisfied In her rendition in
German of the grand aria from Faust"
by Gounod The demands upon Mss
Koch's voice were not severe. but an OPP
portunity was offered for a splendid show
ing OF her middle register. which is par
ticularly strong and sympathetic. Her
enunciat.on of German. a most difficult
language to sing. was perfect
Following Miss 3 song, which was
applauded vociferous,-- Miss Potvin APP
peared 10 advantage in three separate
numbers, exhibiting as many different
STYLES OF composition. thoroughly ren-
dered Saint-Saens' Allegro Aptassi-
crata" was followed by charming com
positio. Of Jensen's. entitled ''Murmurfng
Zephyrs." and that by Mozkowskfs Les
Ft;ncells," the Interpretation OF the latter
being particularly good.
Miss Koch then sang her last number.
The Cay Gitana,' in English. and de-
cline9 an encore which the audience for
time demanded.
As soon as Miss Koch had bowed her
acknowledgements for the floral tributes
that fa-l 20 her share she gave way 10
Miss Potvin who played first "A Seri-
nata." by Lechetizky. The number was
particularly interesting. as u was a fine
expression Of the method Miss Potvin
has been studying in Chicago. under Ze.s-
Ter The composition was very brilliant,
and It's rendition showed a thorough IA
msiiarfty with the composer and his
works II was PLAYED as only one thr~
oughly in sy mpathy with a theme could
pYay It. In contrast Miss Potvin followed
with Liszt's Les Rossignol' and Greig's
"Au Printemps."
Mrs whittiesey's next number was
Victor Harhert's Love Is Spring" and
for an encore the Arabian Love Song
bv GODDARD. Both of Mrs Whittlesey's
numbers were rapturously received, and
she bowed her way from the stage almost
hurled in bouquets OF roses that her ad-
r1rsrerS IN the audience had bestowed with
their plaudits Mss Potvin's closing
number was a n&h5 and delieiousiy per-
formed Eaise Caprice, Man Iseht Nnr
F'-nai" BY Strauss-TauSig.
IttcaIly. Miss P0tvin's methods show
n fige finish Her ne8aling, an art in II
self. II thorough. She plays without notes
and has menaor. zed a repertoire OF forty
r,seses of different grades OF difficulty and
changes az technique Nine. Zessler pro
nnunces her finished performer. and
such words OF praise from the greatest
woman pianist OF this country are rot
without their weight. Her position a. thu
rsano was universally commented upon as
he3ng exceedingly graceful. and her en-
frances ard exits Snow study.
The accompanies for the vocal numbers
81 the programme were Anne. Crevilll and
Miss Lillian Kellogg. and their efforts
materially assisted In the success OF
most successful concert
.sIa Belle Marfe's" ucce~s.