leaving the immediate musical
tutelage of Madame D'Ormy when these young ladies made their _debut_.
This they did before an audience of eight hundred people at the
Metropolitan Theatre in Sacramento, Cal., April 22, 1867. On this
occasion, and on others afterwards in San Francisco and other places
in California, their efforts were rewarded with grand success: the
musical critics and the press awarded them unstinted praise, and even
pronounced them "wonderful." As a sample of all these comments, I here
append the following from "The San Francisco Chronicle:"--

"Their musical power is acknowledged; and those who heard
them last evening were unanimous in their praises, saying
that rare natural gifts would insure for them a leading
position among the prime donne of the age.

"Miss Madah has a pure, sweet soprano voice, very true,
even, and flexible, of remarkable compass and smoothness.
Her rendition of 'Casta Diva,' and her soprano in the tower
scene from 'Il Trovatore,' and Verdi's 'Forse e' lui che
l'anima,' [Transcriber's Note: 'Ah, fors'e lui che l'anima']
as also in the ballad, 'The Rhine Maidens,' was almost
faultless, and thoroughly established her claims to the
universal commendation she has received from all the
connoisseurs in melody who have heard her.

"Miss Louise is a natural wonder, being a fine alto-singer,
and also the possessor of a pure tenor-voice. Her tenor is
of wonderful range; and, in listening to her singing, it is
difficult to believe that one is not hearing a talented
young man instead of the voice of a young girl. Her
character song was one of the greatest 'hits' ever made; and
henceforth her position as a favorite with an audience is
assured."

After these concerts they retired to severe study, preparatory to
making a tour of the States. Finally, deciding to proceed towards the
East, they sang to highly-appreciative and enthusiastic audiences in
several of the Western towns and cities. At Salt-Lake City they were
received with the very highest marks of favor. On the 12th of August,
1871, they gave a grand concert in Salt-Lake Theatre, offering some
five operatic selections. At this concert, and for some time
afterwards, the ladies were assisted by Mr. Le Count, a baritone
singer of excellence. I append the following scientific analysis of
the music used, and the manner of its renditi