Charity Concert by the Artist Couple Cornet in Meran

Appendix.

Meran, 23 June. Yesterday was a festive day for the art-loving residents of our town. Mr. Julius Cornet, court opera director in Braunschweig, who has been staying for some time at his beautifully situated cliff castle Fragsburg, gave a concert in the casino hall in the evening with his wife for the benefit of the poor, upon manifold request. Where feelings of gratitude and veneration unite with the sweetest memories of distinguished art, it is impossible to find words worthy enough to depict an enjoyment that is so rare here, indeed unique. After a quintet by Beethoven, Madame Cornet sang a grand aria from the new opera "Ludovic" by Herold and Halévy. Already after the first movement, the amiable artist was showered with a storm of applause that only the bell-like tones of her heavenly voice could quiet once more; at the conclusion of the aria, the applause seemed endless, and it took a long time until the enraptured spirits composed themselves. Finally, the third piece began; these were violin variations by Mayfeder, very well rendered by our valiant music director Glanzl. Following this, Mr. Cornet sat down at the piano and, with brilliant accompaniment, sang the beautiful aria of Figaro from "Il barbiere di Siviglia" in Italian. Strangers present, who had often heard this aria sung in Munich by the famous buffo Santini of the Italian Opera in Paris, affirmed that the Italian did not surpass our countryman in the excellence of the performance. Mr. Cornet could not be interrupted by applause amidst the flow of his notes, but when he had finished, the German bravos mingled thunderously with the Italian bravissimos! The second part of the concert was opened by Mad. Cornet with the magnificent variations of the once so celebrated Demoiselle Sonntag on the theme: "Steh nur auf, du lustiger Schweizerbue" by the well-known piano virtuoso Piris. The applause could not have been more stormy than with the first aria. The second piece was once again a quintet, in which our young music director distinguished himself particularly. This was followed by a grand duetto buffo by Mercadante in Italian. Here we heard the celebrated artist couple together, and in the alternating sound of their enchanting tones, which entered our souls now sweetly, now in teasing jest, one felt irresistibly attuned to the purest cheerfulness. The conclusion—sad word!—was made by an extremely lovely duettino: "Schatzerl, wann liebst du mi?" composed by Mr. Cornet. A jubilant bravo, the cry: "Thanks! A thousand thanks!" accompanied the departing singing couple all the way to their carriage. After the concert, the town dignitaries gave them a supper at the Post, in which the visiting strangers and several local ladies took part. Only late did the cheerful company part. This morning at 6 o'clock Mr. and Mad. Cornet bid farewell to our little town, to return—alas, only!—in two years. Fervent blessings accompany them on their journey, fervent blessings to the gates of Braunschweig! The poor of our town have to thank them for a sum of nearly 80 guilders, with which many a tear will be dried, many a lament stilled. But we thank them for a memory that will forever remain dear to our hearts, a day of joy and the highest artistic enthusiasm.

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