Music and Some Highly Musical People Part 10

Having thus described the family individually, I now proceed to speak of their combined efforts. Formed as a vocal quartet, the parts were distributed in this wise: Simeon Luca sang first tenor, Alexander second tenor, Cleveland soprano, and John sang ba.s.s (or baritone if desired).

Instrumentally they performed as follows: Simeon on first violin, Alexander second violin, John violoncello (or double ba.s.s if required), and Cleveland on the piano-forte. The father fulfilled the duties of musical director and business manager; and occasionally he took part in the performances as a vocalist.

Thus excellently equipped musically, each member of the troupe possessed of general intelligence, and being of genteel appearance, they went forth on their mission of music into fields. .h.i.therto untrodden by members of their race; and their fine performances everywhere gave delight, refinement, and a new and high impulse, to the many thousands who heard them.

Their services were at first called into requisition at anniversaries and festivals, and they soon acquired an excellent local reputation.

The event that most prominently heralded their names before the public was their first appearance at the May anniversary of the Antislavery Society, held in the old Tabernacle on Broadway, New York, in 1853.

Over five thousand persons were present. The sensation produced by the performances of this gifted family on this occasion is said to have been indescribable. The wildest enthusiasm was manifested; and many persons in the audience, overcome by the emotions awakened, shed tears. This is, however, not so strange. Gathered as was this immense concourse of people to advance the cause of human freedom, and entertaining and a.s.serting, as they did, a belief of man's equality, we may well imagine the measure of their delight when in witnessing the display of genius by the wonderful pianist, and listening to the sweet strains of cla.s.sical harmony formed by the tuneful voices and skilfully-played instruments of this troupe of colored artists, they found their claims for the race so fully sustained.

After the performances just mentioned, letters full of praise and congratulation from many sources poured in upon the "Lucas," as they were familiarly called; and Professor Allen, then editing a paper at Troy, N.Y., induced the parents to intrust the children, now so rapidly acquiring fame, to his charge, to make a musical trip through the New-England States in the interest of his paper. This tour resulted in adding to their fame, and confirming them in a belief of their ultimate general success; but, owing to poor management on the part of their business agent, the trip was not a financial success.

I should have mentioned ere this that John and Alexander Luca had been taught by their father the shoemaking trade, and that for some time they applied themselves to this kind of work; using their leisure time, nevertheless, in pus.h.i.+ng their musical studies. Occasionally they would drop the awl and hammer, and make excursions into the country towns of Connecticut; sometimes returning with a full exchequer, and sometimes in debt even, but never without having added to their reputations as musicians.

During these times, the family received many valuable testimonials touching their musical abilities; but to none of these do they owe so much as to a highly commendatory letter from the late Rev. Horace Bushnell of Hartford, Conn. Such testimony from one so eminent, and of critical abilities so great, could not fail to arrest public attention in their behalf.

While travelling, the Luca family suffered greatly from the effects of a cruel caste spirit then so much prevailing,--being often debarred from hotels, and often denied decent accommodation in public conveyances. But this barbarous treatment of those whose fine musical qualities and genteel appearance and deportment--albeit they were of dark complexions--gave them t.i.tle to enter the very best places aroused the sympathy and indignation of many persons. And so, amidst all their disadvantages, the success and reputation of our artists steadily increased, and the critics accorded them high rank as musicians; Mason, Gottschalk, and others among the finest pianists of the country, receiving Cleveland Luca, the pianist, as an equal.

In the year 1854 the family experienced a sad shock in the death of Simeon G. Luca.

As before intimated, he was a vocalist and violinist of remarkable powers; and professionally, as well as otherwise, his loss to the troupe was a great one.

The vacancy occasioned by his death was filled by the engagement of Miss Jennie Allen of New York. She proved to be a very valuable acquisition to the troupe; for she possessed a rich contralto voice, sang with excellent method, had a graceful, winning stage appearance, and was well known in New York as a very fine pianist.

The quartet thus arranged then (in 1857) began to travel more extensively, giving performances in the States of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, where their success artistically and financially exceeded any thing before within their experience. Had they so chosen, they might have visited all the free States with a.s.surance of good fortune. Wherever they went, the bitter color-prejudice, the chilling doubtings, or the cold indifference, displayed by those who had not heard these talented musicians, were rapidly dispelled when on the stage they beheld their easy, graceful appearance, and heard the delightful sounds of harmony that proceeded from the voices and instruments of this accomplished quartet. The writer well remembers the emotions of delight and pride that filled his own breast when at this period, in Ohio, he witnessed for the first time their performances. After their first concert, the town became the scene of a most pleasant commotion. No such music had ever before been heard there, and praises of the "Lucas" were on the lips of all. The family were entertained at the residences of the first citizens, who vied with each other in extending to them the most complimentary attentions. In these homes of wealth and culture, where the study and practice of choice music formed a portion of each day's employment, these talented artists, surrounded by a selected company of educated persons, shone even more brightly than when upon the public stage; for here they could confine themselves to a rendition of that higher cla.s.s of music so suitable to their own tastes and powers, as well as most welcome to their cultivated audience. But what befell the Luca family in this town--the writer has mentioned somewhat particularly this instance, because he happened to be a witness of the same--is but a sample of the treatment they often received in other places while travelling over the country.

As representing the estimate of the musical abilities of the Luca family, held by the general press of the country during their concert tours, and in order that it may be seen that my own praises of the family are none too great, I give the following notice from a fair and disinterested source; viz., "The Niagara Courier" of Lockport, N.Y., of Sept. 2, 1857:--

"THE LUCA FAMILY.

"This company of singers, consisting of four [three]

brothers and their mother, gave a concert at Ringueberg Hall last (Monday) evening; and their performance was such as to elicit the enthusiastic approval of all present. Coming among us as strangers, their merits were not generally understood; and we presume that the entire audience were agreeably disappointed in the entertainment presented. We hazard nothing in saying that we have not had in our place for years a concert which combined all the elements that please the musical ear, and satisfy the cultivated taste, as did this. The introductory piece, 'Fantasia,' from Lucia, evinced the highest order of musical culture, the most excellent taste, with that superior power of execution which long practice only gives. The two brothers John and Alexander have superb voices, guided by a correct knowledge of music, and enriched by cultivation. Madame Luca was laboring under indisposition; but she sang well, and gave abundant a.s.surance of superior vocal powers. But the great feature of the entertainment was the performance of C.O.

Luca on the piano. With the exception of the celebrated Mason, we have never had his superior as a pianist in Lockport; and even he could not execute the pieces presented with greater effect. There is music in his playing which we seldom hear from the piano. It is not simply the striking of the keys in order, emitting a succession of musical sounds; but it is one continual flow of melody without interruption.

From the moment he first strikes the keys, the harmonious melody gushes forth, note melts into note imperceptibly, wave after wave of melody goes forth and mingles into one as do the waves of the sea; and there is no breaking of the majesty of its harmony until the last note is touched.

"The family, as has been before announced, are colored, and consequently labor under some disadvantages; but we predict for them a successful future. Such superior musical powers must win for them a reputation that will bring its recompense. The pieces they sing are selected with good taste, and evince a determination to deserve public favor.

And we may here say, that we believe the Luca family, in the quiet and unostentatious display of their musical powers, are doing more to secure position for the colored man than all the theorists and speculators about the right of man have yet accomplished in America. The possession of such talent, and its cultivation, show genius and industry which any man might emulate; and, when the colored men shall be represented in all the arts and sciences by those who are able to occupy front ranks, they will need no moralist to a.s.sert their rights: they can then maintain their own position. The human mind is so const.i.tuted, that it will always pay homage to genius, let it be exhibited under a white or black surface.

"A large number of the audience joined in a request that the Luca family repeat their concert; and they have consented to do so on Friday evening next, when we hope to see an audience out worthy of their superior merits. In the mean time we commend the Luca family to the press wherever they shall go, as every way worthy of their aid and indors.e.m.e.nt."

During their second tour of Ohio, in 1859, the "Lucas" met and joined the famous Hutchinson family, giving many entertainments in conjunction with them. The Hutchinsons thus proved the entire sincerity of their professions that they loved their brother man "for a' that." The press of the country was much excited over this novel union, and the expressions emanating from the former were various.

Without, however, minding the pros or cons, these two troupes travelled more than a month together, experiencing a pleasurable and profitable season.

I append below two advertis.e.m.e.nts of concerts given by these troupes at the time mentioned:--

(I.)

[Ill.u.s.tration:

THE HUTCHINSON FAMILY,

ASA B., LIZZIE C., and LITTLE FREDDY;

with the

LUCA BROTHERS,

JOHN AND ALEXANDER, AND CLEVELAND,

THE WONDERFUL PIANIST!

_HUMOR, SENTIMENT, AND OPERA!_

From the established reputation of both these companies, a rare treat may be expected.]

(II.)

[Ill.u.s.tration:

By SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS,

THE HUTCHINSONS

will be a.s.sisted at their

_CONCERT_

in this place by the

LUCA FAMILY,

with their

Wonderful Pianist!]

As a reflection of the terrible, the foul spirit of caste, then so largely prevailing, I regret that it is my duty to append the following elegant (?) extract from a paper published at Fremont, O., Feb. 25, 1859:--

"The Hutchinsons,--Asa B., Lizzie C., and little Freddy,--accompanied by the Luca family, gave a concert at Birchard Hall on last Wednesday evening. The house was not more than a paying one. When we went to the concert, we antic.i.p.ated a rare treat; but, alas! how wofully were we disappointed!... We have, perhaps, a stronger feeling of prejudice than we should have felt under other circ.u.mstances, had their abolition proclivities been less startling; but to see respectable white persons (we presume they are such) travelling hand in hand with a party of negroes, and eating at the same table with them, is rather too strong a pill to be gulped down by a democratic community."

No doubt the writer of the above, if now living, would be ashamed to utter sentiments so uncharitable and so vile.

But as an evidence of honest criticism, and in pleasing contrast with the foregoing, I give the following.

"The Norwalk (O.) Reflector," March 1, 1859, says,--

"The concert given in this place on Sat.u.r.day night last by the Hutchinsons and Lucas was among the best musical entertainments ever given here. The audience was large, and the artists sang with spirit.

"Where all sang so well, it is difficult to select the best.... The Lucas are charming musicians, both instrumental and vocal; and, when two such companies unite, there will be superior concerts."

A Sandusky (O.) paper, March 1, 1859, says,--