last visit 1893
On his last visit to Jamaica, Watty Wallack came as manager of the Heine Concert Company, though he was persuaded to perform some items on occasion.
Daily Gleaner, December 19, 1892
The Heine Concert Coy.
VISIT OF THE BLIND VIOLINIST TO JAMAICA.
We learn that the Heine Grand Concert Coy. will arrive here from Belize (where they have gone from New Orleans) shortly, and will give concerts in Kingston. Watty Wallack who is already known in Jamaica has the management of the company which is composed of Josef Heine, the wonderful blind violinist, Madame Ada Heine, the eminent pianiste, (a pupil of Listz) and Miss Evelyn Maude Heine, Soprano, along with the favourite humourist Mr. J. A. Rider.
Daily Gleaner, Janauary 6, 1893
ARRIVAL OF A GRAND CONCERT COMPANY
Our old friend Mr. Watty Wallack arrived here on Saturday evening last looking as young and jolly as ever. He was accompanied by the Great Professor Joseph Heine, Madam Ada Heine and Miss Evelyne Heine as also the popular J. A. Rider.
They were going direct to Kingston from New Orleans, but could not get a steamer from there so they went to Belize and took Kerr's steamer "Argonaut" for this port. Our folks here are very glad for their disappointment in not getting a steamer for Kingston, as they will have the pleasure of being the first in Jamaica to hear this grand Concert Company, They will give their first entertainment here on Monday evening the 9th inst. at the Court House, the price of admission is reserved seats 4s. back seats 3s. the box sheet is now opened at Messrs. Ramsay and Reuben "Terrace Store."
Professor Joseph Heine is the great blind violinist and a wonderfully gifted genius and composer. Madam Ada Heine pianist, Miss Evelyn Heine soprano and violinist Watty Wallack, manager, and J. A. Rider, business manager. From what we have heard we feel quite sure that they will have a bumper house as they have testimonials of the very highest character.
Daily Gleaner, January 13, 1893
CONCERT AT MONTEGO BAY
The Heine Concert Company gave their first entertainment at the Court House, Montego Bay on Monday evening the 9th last before a very large and highly respectable audience. The doors were thrown open at 7p.m. when ladies and gentlemen began to enter, at 8 o'clock the room was packed gentlemen having to stand ladies and gentlemen travelling 15 to 18 miles to hear this talented company, and we are glad to say that the audience got what they expected and more. At 5 minutes past 8 Madam Ada Heine made her appearance on the stage and opened the evening's entertainment with a piano solo entitled a Grand Etude E Minor, Chopin, Rondo in E Minor, Mendelssohn. The piece was a long one and she played with great energy throwing her whole soul into her performance during which the audience was kept spell bound. At the conclusion she was greeted with tremendous applause next came a song, Grand scene from Semiramide, Bel Raggio Lusinghier and Dolce pensiero, Rossini by Miss Evelyn Heine which was beautifully rendered with a voice rich and sweet, clear and distinct as a bell. At the close of the song the encores were so great that she responded with 'Coming thro the Rye' which was well received by an admiring audience. The great wonderful and gifted blind violinist here made his first appearance. He rendered a violin solo a Cavatina, Ralf, B. Mazurka, Heine. His execution on the violin marvellously surprised the audience. He is certainly a master over the Violin which was very fascinating to his audience. He closed the piece like the breath leaving one dying. The encores here lasted some time and he was again led out when he addressed the audience in a very sweet and attracting voice as follows: I will give you a short sketch entitled "The chickens March". It's a foul proceeding. The violin then commenced and imitated to perfection chickens crying, hens cackling, Cocks crowing which brought down the house.
The popular J. A. Rlder here gave a recitation so as to give the Professor, Wife, and daughter a few inmates rest which they well needed.
The Professor appeared this time with a common tin whistle and rendered a "Tarantella," Heine. His performance was magic as was to be expected, the cries of encores were beyond describing and he returned with a pleasing smile and gave to their amusement and satlsfaction on the tin whistle. "For we are jolly good fellows ". Next piano solo by Madam Ada Heine, a. "Minnehaha," Whell, b "Rasgunade," Gottschalk , who on entering was received with great applause, At the close of the piece the cries of encore were again so great that she had to respond.
Then came a violin solo by Professor Heine, a Elegy on the death of a little child, Heine, b. Casta Diva and grand march with variation from Bellini's opera of Norma arranged for one string by Vieux Temps. In these pieces the audience were perfectly taken by storm the rendering on one silver string with the variations was wonderful. He received here such an applause and cries of encore from both ladies and gentlemen that he again kindly responded and rendered 'Robin Gray" and the "Bag Pipes" which were to perfection.
Miss Evelyn Heine here rendered a song entitled "Selected" in a beautiful soprano voice over which she has perfect control which was well received by the audience with cries again of encore.
Then came a sacred duet, two violins, "Nearer my God to Thee," by Miss Evelyn Heine and Professor Heine. This was indeed very prettily and masterly rendered; the effect made one feel as if he were being elevated. The cries of encore to great that Professor Heine rendered in response on the violin imitation of a mule. He gave the brays of the mule as distinct as possible; cries again and he kindly rendered, "How doth the little busy Bee" making the violin speak the words right through. The old favourite, Watty Wallack, here made his appearance on the stage and received a very hearty welcome. He expressed the thanks of himself and the company to the audience in flowery language for their presence and closed by saying that they would give their last performance tomorrow evening (Tuesday) hoping that they would again favour the company with their presence and also invite their friends. On his retiring off the stage there were cries from the audience. "Watty, give us a song - we must have a song." He returned in his as usual pleasing manner and rendered "Comic History of Dog Tray," which was well received with encores which he responded to with another comic song. Next came a grand duet (piano and violin) by Madame and Professor Heine, which received tremendous applause. Professor Heine here gave on the violin "The Mocking Bird," and you could hear the whistle of the bird like nature.
Then came the last piece of the evening whioh our readers are all well acquainted with "Home Sweet Home." Piano, Madame Heine, violins, Evelyn and Professor Heine, this was simply grand, such music like this, one could never get tired of listening to.
After the applause which lasted some time, Madame Heine brought the evening's entertainment to a close by the rendering of the National Anthem - such a musical entertainment never to be forgotten by those who had the pleasure to listen to it.
We cannot close this report without expressing the very high esteem that the ladies and gentlemen of this town and parish have for Professor Heine, Madame Heine and daughter. Miss Evelyn Heine in her costume looks lovely. The Company after playing last night to a very respectable audience every piece rendered receiving great cries of encores, leaves for Kingston per coastal steamer to-morrow the 12th inst. where we are sure they will have bumper houses as the 4s. charged for admittances cannot be regretted for such music.
The remarkable YouTube recording below, from 1908, is of Marcella Sembrich, a great opera star of the period, singing Bel raggio lusinghier Dolce pensiero from Rossini's Semiramide, which Evelyn Heine had sung in 1893 in Montego Bay; just a glimpse from a century ago!
Daily Gleaner, Janauary 13, 1893
from the Daily Gleaner in 1893
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- presumably Wallack and Rider left Jamaica about the same time.
