CONCERT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 34, 11 February 1868, Page 2

CONCERT.

Those of our readers who were fortunate enough to be present at the concert given last night by M. and Madame Simmonsen, at the Oddfellows' Hall, will, we are confident, thoroughly appreciate the difficulty we must experience in doing anything like justice to such a performance in the limited space which we have at our disposal for the purpose. There can be but one opinion, save amongst perhaps some very few members of the musical community, whose means of judging of excellence in these matters must necessarily be of the most limited character, that, favored even as we have been by visits of artistes of rare and acknowledged talent, never has such an opportunity been offered to the Nelson public of listening to music of so high a character. Madame Simonsen possesses a voice of remarkable compass -and sweetness, capable alike of power and pathos, which has been highly cultivated, and over which she has thorough command. The celebrated 'Eoberfc, tei §ae- j'aime' which she gave with the

most irreproachable purity, made us at once aware that we were listening to an artiste of no ordinary capability, the difficult cadances being produced with an articulation the most clear and distinct. In the beautiful air from the 'Somnambula,' (given in character) ' Come pev rae sereuo,' with its joyous finale ' Sovra il sen,' she took the highest and most difficult passages with ease and brilliancy, her sustained shake being amongst the most admirable of her achievements. But her crowning triumph during the evening was the famous tower scene from 11 Trovatore, which stamped her at once not only as a vocalist of the first order, but also as a dramatic artiste iti the highest sense. The plaiutive 'Ah ! che la morte,' sang by Maurico from the tower (by the bye, where was the tower last night ?), was given very pleasingly by Mr G-. F. Price, and the whole scene was rendered with excellent effect, though the addition of the 'Miserere' chorus would have rendered it more perfect. A brilliant valse de concert, 'II Bacio,' which concluded the programme, and which is familiar enough to Nelson audiences, through its execution both by amateur and professional vocal ists, as well as in its more legitimate dance form, was dashed off with spirit and effect, which was not a little increased by the delicate violin accompaniment by M. Simouseuj and which left a most satisfactory impression on the minds of the audience of the lady's artistic vocalisation. Madame SimonseD, we may also add, developed powers of a totally different character in the piquancy of her acting in a little dramatic trifle, and by the naivete and taste she infused into her singing (as encores) of two little arch ballads, 'Is it anybody's business ?' and ' Come in and shut the door,' the charm of which was, in Booth, increased by the slightest possible infusion of foreign accent, for Madame Simonsen both sings and speaks English admirably. It is impossible to speak too highly of j M. Simonsen as a violinist; his execution of the most rapid and difficult passages were altogether irreproachable, and he evidently possesses the most perfect command over that prince of instruments. In the fantasia on themes from the Fille du Regiment, the arpeggio passages were exquisitely given, and the other pieces which he performed during the evening amply illustrated his possession of extensive powers on this very difficult instrument, which proved Low skilful an exponent of the most varied emotions it may become in the hands of such a proficient as M. Simonsen. The grotesque imitations which he introduced in obedience to the invariable encores which attended each of his performances, evidently delighted and astonished his audience at the same time, and might be numbered amongst those freaks of genius in which the most accomplished musicians delight occasionally to indulge. Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm which greeted both Madame and M. Simonsen throughout the evening, encores and buoquets testifying j to the gratification of the audience, and we may safely prognosticate a brilliant success during their brief visit here. Miss Rebecca Jones sang very pleasantly two graceful compositions by Arnaud and Blumenthal, and Mr. G-. F. Price, who possesses a tenor voice of agreeable quality, gave in the first part a descriptive song, ' Stonewall Jackson ' of very mediocre musical character, and wedded to the most unvocal words, as efficiently as the composition would admit. His comic songs were received with much favor, and were amusiug without being vulgar. M. Artot's performances on the piano, both solos and accompaniments, deserve a more distinct recognition, for they were both skilful and mHsicianlike.' The airdience was a more numerous ©ne than could have been expected, looking to

the amusements that were going on at the Botanical Gardens the same evening. There will, doubtless, be a crowded audience this evening, for which an especially attractive programme is annouuced.