Camilla: A Tale of a Violin: Being the Artist Life of Camilla Urso
John Stuart Mill · en
The programme was popular in its character and each piece was given with
unexpected effect. The concert was opened at half past two by the
performance of Von Weber’s Jubilee Overture by the orchestra under the
direction of Mr. Harold, the conductor of the festival. This was
followed by a chorus for men’s voices by the united singing societies of
the State. Next the orchestra and military bands gave a selection of
national airs and at the end the chorus and the entire audience rose and
sang “My country ’tis of Thee.” The chorus, organ and orchestra then
united to give the chorus “Night shades no longer,” from Moses in Egypt,
which was given in a skillful and effective manner. A chorus of men’s
voices from “Eurianthe” with horn obligato was next performed and then
came the Anvil Chorus, with chorus, bands, orchestra, organ, battery and
all the bells in the city united for accompaniment.
It was an event in its way and the irrepressible enthusiasm peculiar to
the Californians found vent in cheers and the waving of hats,
handkerchiefs and whatever was in hand. Certainly Madam Urso had never
in her whole experience seen such enthusiasm and she may have well
wondered if it was not all some strange, fantastic dream. The band gave
a selection from “Tannhauser” and then the concert closed with the “Star
Spangled Banner” given with cannon, big drum, church bells, organ and
great chorus.
The concert on the second day was honored with an audience of fifteen
thousand persons, the largest assembly that had ever met in California.
The programme began with the overture to “Ali Baba” which was followed
by the “Gloria,” from Mozart’s Twelfth Mass. Then the orchestra gave two
movements from the symphony in C, by Gade. “Sleepers wake,” from St.
Paul, and the “Prayer,” from “Moses in Egypt,” were next given in such a
superior manner by the chorus, that the last number won an encore.
At this point Madam Urso appeared and met with a reception that for wild
enthusiasm and fervor has probably never been exceeded by any concert
audience. The very proper coldness and passiveness of Eastern audiences
finds small favor beyond the mountains. The fifteen thousand people met
under that roof tendered her an ovation the like of which has probably
never been given to any artist in the world. Respect and love for the
woman who had done so much for them, admiration for her genius, and
gratitude for her splendid efforts in behalf of the Mercantile
Association roused the people to a pitch of excitement almost past
belief. For a few moments it seemed as if they would never cease
cheering, nor stop piling the mountains of flowers at her feet.