THE SIMONSEN CONCERT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 36, 13 February 1868, Page 2

THE SIMONSEN CONCERT.

The crowded state of our columns today must plead our excuse for a less detailed notice ot last night's concert than ■we could desire, or as the entertainment unquestionably merited. But we the less regret the circumstance, inasmuch as the very enthusiastic reception which awaited M. and Madame Slmonsen proved incontestibly that their claims to be considered the most accomplished artistes who have yet visited Nelson are admitted by all competent judges, and therefore any commendations which we could bestow on their performances are the less needed. Of course, the grand feature in the evening's programme tv&s the aci frem Bellini's

celebrated opera 'Norma,' given almost in its entirety and in character. In this Madame Simonsen's powers as a dramatic and vocal artiste of the highest rank found ample illustration. The cavatinaj ' Casta Diva,' in which the illfated Druidess invokes her tutelar deity — the moon, — one of the most beautiful specimens of vocal harmony extant, was sung in the most impassioiDed manner, and was received with fc he loudest plaudits by the audience. It is difficult to say which was most admirable, the musical enunciation, or the dramatic intensity of the next scene, in which Norma resolves on killing her offspring, and when approachiug the sacrifice, finds her hand rendered powerless by maternal affection. The intense expression which Madame Simonsen threw into the words, 'Mi manca la mano ! sono i miei figli ! ' was something which will not easily be forgotten; aud the joyous cabaletta 'Ah, bello a me ritorna,' in which she revels hi the idea that she can recall her recreant lover, was sung most deliciously. The music of the rest of the scene, including the ' Deh, con te,' and the concluding duett, ' Si fino all'ore,' where she unconsciously swears eternal friendship to her successful rival in Pollio's affections, is well known to all musicians, and Was given with excellent effect, Miss Eebecca Jones taking the part of Adalgisa very creditably. The curtain, we need hardly add, fell amidst the most tumultuous applause, which was repeated at the end of the entertainment, when Arditi's inspiriting Valse de Concert, ' L'Estasi, 7 with a delicious violin accompaniment, by M. Simonsen, threw the entire audience into a state of the most pleasurable excitement. M. Simonsen has evidently established himself as such a favorite with the Nelson public that his appearance on the stage is invariably the signal for the heartiest plaudits. His performance of De Beriot's Seventh Air Varie — always a favorite with first-class violinists — and the extraordinary gymnastics which he executed in, the Fantaisie Burlesque on English and Irish Airs, with Haumann's Masaniello Fantaisie, a very exquisite composition, were received most enthusiastically by the fashionable and appreciative audience present. To-night, the farewell Concert, Madame Simonsen will sing a scena from Adolphe Adams's Opera of ' Giralda ;' from the ' Traviata ;' and also the favorite 'II Bacio,' (by desire) with other pieces, and M, Simonsen will give the famous * Bird on the Tree.' The Concert is likely, we hear, to be very well attended, and we trust that their farewell entertainment will prove that the somewhat sparing patronage which has been bestowed on them did not arise from any want of due appreciation of their powers.