Signora Pico’s Concert drew a full and brilliant audience. You see good faces among her admirers, for only those who like energy and sensibility,—the richer and deeper parts of character,—will seek to hear one whose chief charm lies in the expression of such qualities.
Her voice seemed more full and mellow than when we heard her last, and came out with great power and beauty in the duet with Miss Northall. She is still an unfinished singer, and it is obvious to the most uncultivated hearer how much she might improve, if she would devote herself with earnestness to excel, while still in her prime. Still, if she should never go beyond her present marks, she is a singer able to give great pleasure to the ear and some satisfaction to the heart.
The concert was, on the whole, uncommonly good and well arranged, though there were some things we should gladly have dispensed with in an entertainment somewhat too long and crowded, and where the main object with every one was to hear Pico. The atrocious singing of Madame Burkhardt was, however, the only very bad thing. A poor little ballad was cruelly murdered by her, with every sin of whine, of twang, and of clumsy “graces.” Mad. Otto sang as she always does. Whoever had heard her once may be sure of what he is to find another time; she is not troubled by variations or ebullitions of feeling. Miss Northall acquitted herself in the duet far better than would have been anticipated; it must have been an agitating trial for this young and modest girl, where great improvement within the past year and a half gives room to hope a great deal of good from her future career. “Birds of Spring,” a charming little song, she sang well, but not so well as at Mr. Walker’s concert, and was not so effectively accompanied. M. Gilbert is a pleasing singer—no more. Mr. Mayer should not sing alone; he has not voice enough, though his good taste and judgment make him a valuable support when engaged with others. The duet from Norma roused the hope that we may really hear that opera soon as a whole. Pico is a host in herself; there will be some electricity where she take s leading part; and two or three other good voices, inspired by her, would make an opera worth hearing.*
“Signora Pico’s Concert,” New-York Tribune, 14 May 1846, p. 2.
