THE SIMONSEN CONCERT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 37, 14 February 1868, Page 2

THE SIMONSEN CONCERT.

; M. and Madame Simonsen gave their farewell concert at the Oddfellows' Hall yesterday evening, and had every reason to be gratified with their reception, which was most hearty and enthusiastic. Two selections from operas, the 'Traviata' and 'Giralda,' (the latter of which is quite unknown to English musicians, having only been performed on the Continent) afforded Madame Simonsen fresh opportunities of exhibiting her consummate skill on, the Ijra stage, though in the detached form in which these operatic 'scenes' have necessarily been presented to us -de-

prived of the marvellously powerful accessories of scenery, orchestral and choral effects, &c, this fine artiste has been heard to great disadvantage. Yet in spite of these drawbacks, the great versatility of her genius has made itself felt, and but one opinion prevails amongst really competent judges, we mean those who are enabled by their practical knowledge of the musical art, and by long and critical acquaintance with the best models in the old country to form a judgment on the subject, that Madame Simonsen is, both as a vocal and as a dramatic artiste, the most accomplished that has yet visited the Antipodes. Of course our experience here of the great ' stars ' of the musical world is confined to the members of the Lyster Opera Company, and of the Carandini party, and without desiring in the slightest degree to disparage the abilities of those unquestionably excellent musicians, we ma} r , without fear of contradiction, award the palm to Madame Simonseu. The joyous character of the scene from the Traviata, in "which the unfortunate Violetta revels in all the reckless buoyancy of dissipation, and to which so strong a contrast is afforded by the mournful termination of her career by consumption in the last act, was delineated to the life, nor was her execution of the difficult cavatiua, 'Ah, forse a lvi,' and of the extatic 'Sempre libera' less admirable from a musical point of view, the latter especially being dashed off with a vigour and brilliancy which was almost contagious to the audience, who applauded to the echo. The scene from Adolphe Adam's Opera of 'Giralda,' evidently stood in even still further need of dramatic accessaries, for we must confess that the music, however faultlessly executed, seemed to us to be essentially French in character, without the redeeming accompaniment of melody, and abounding with frightful difficulties for the vocalist. Perhaps, however, a better acquaintance with this composition would cause us to feel less regret at the amount of artistic skill expended upon its execution. The Laughing Song, from the latest opera of the venerable Auber, *Un Jour de Bonheur,' sung during the last London season at every concert at which Adelina Patti appeared, was given deliciously, and the absurd little story told with such archness by Madame Simonsen, that the audience insisted oa its repetition. Not less exquisite as a specimen of pure cantabile singing was ' The Harp ia the Air, 9 from ' Maritana.' Most comic aud happy too, was her impersonation of the Old Maid, which completely carried the audience bj storm. Her ' make up 'in this character was perfect, and her impersonation showed how large a share of the * vis comica ' she possesses. M. Simonsen last night repeated the wondrous Tremolo Fantasie on ' Annie Laurie,' and, we need not add, succeeded in affording the same intense gratification to the audience as on the previous occasions of its performance. ' The Bird en the Tree,' which was given in the last part of the programme, was another illustration of the perfect mastery which M. Simonsen has achieved over this most difficult of instruments. None indeed, save violinists, can appreciate the difficulties attendant on the execution of this rondo, though his hearers could easily comprehend the marvellous skill which could elicit such descriptive sounds, and express such varied emotions. M. Simonsen is, indeed, an artiste of extraordinary ability, who must be appreciated wherever he may be heard, alike by musicians and by those wbo are gifted with the smallest possible allowance of that inestimable gift, a sensibility to the charms and humanizing influences of the divine art. M. Artot played SchulhofPs very difficult .Morceau Caracteristique in the most masterly manner, aad also a polka de con-

cert, composed by himself, and entitled the * Prince Alfred Polka,' which is both original and musicianlike. Miss Rebecca Jones gave '-Sing, birdie, sing,' in good style, and iv the two duets with Madame Simonsen, also reudered effective service. Mr Price, whose very pleasing baritone voice only requires judicious culture to render him an accomplished vocalist, sang one of Claribel's latest aud sweetest compositions, ' Come back to Erin,' with good effecct, and his comic songs during the evening were unmistakably relished by the audience. The Concert was brought to a close shortly before 11 o'clock, with Arditi's brilliant vocal valse de, concert 'II Bacio' given (by desire) with all tbe spirit and brilliancy of former occasions. The two principal performers then appeared before the curtain and received a most hearty ovation at the hands of the audience. M. and Madame Simonsen left to-day by the Nelson for Westport, and whilst they leave behind them in Nelson the highest possible appreciation of their extraordinary professional talents, they may rest, assured that, should they ever revisit this city, the announcement of such an intention will be greeted with hearty enthusiasm by all true musicians.