So great was the success of the talented troupe in the metropolis, that when they visited Brooklyn they were already fully advertised, and a general and very eager desire was manifested in that city to witness their performances. So great was this desire, that, said "The Brooklyn Daily Union,"
"Not only was every inch of standing-room in the Young Men's Christian Association Hall occupied, but the ante-room and even the stairway were completely jammed. In spite, however, of the uncomfortable crowding, every one was pleased to be present, and all were delighted with the concert.
"The young ladies are gifted with remarkable voices, and sing together with perfect harmony; displaying the full compass and beauty of their voices, which are clear and sweet.
"Mr. Wallace King's rendering of Tennyson's beautiful song, 'Come into the garden, Maud,' was really exquisite, and was followed by a vociferous encore. The concert was one of the finest of the series."
But notwithstanding the many critical tests to which these young ladies had been subjected all along from California to New York, and despite the fact that their journey had thus far been marked by a continual series of triumphs,—the thick walls of color-prejudice everywhere yielding before the force of their rare musical abilities, their almost marvellous sweetness of song,—they now approached with feelings somewhat akin to dread the "modern Athens," that acknowledged centre of musical and general æsthetic culture, Boston, whose critical audiences ever receive coldly, at first, all newcomers, and who, guided by their own judgments, and having their own standard of merit, never yield praise because it has been accorded in other sections.
The Misses Hyers, although fully recognizing all this, were not to be daunted by it; and they therefore chose an ambitious, but what proved to be a wise course: they at first appeared at Tremont Temple before a select circle of musical connoisseurs. At this test performance, Mr. Eben Tourjée, Mr. P.S. Gilmore, and others of the highest musical ability in Boston, were, by invitation, present. Before the Misses Hyers began to sing, Mr. Tourjée said that they would be judged by the same standards as would be Nilsson or Kellogg. Mr. Hyers, speaking for his daughters, readily assented to this: and the sequel proved that his confidence was well founded; for all became satisfied, after hearing them sing, that these young ladies had not been too highly praised by the press of other cities. Said Mr. Gilmore, "These ladies promise much that is great."
But the following, taken from one of the Boston papers appearing the day after the performance just referred to, best describes the effect of the same on those present:—
"We were invited with some fifty other persons this forenoon to hear the singing of two colored young ladies, named Anna and Emma Hyers, of San Francisco, at the Meionaon. They are aged respectively sixteen and fourteen years, and, after a casual inspection, may be called musical prodigies. They are, without doubt, destined to occupy a high position in the musical world.
"Anna sings not only alto, but tenor, and both with great excellence. They sang 'Ah forsetui' from 'Traviata,' 'M'appari' from 'Martha,' and the 'Miserere' from 'Trovatore,' each with remarkable clearness and accuracy, and surprised all with the general skill they displayed. Anna has also the faculty of reaching E flat above the staff. Judging from present data, they are on a par vocally with our better concert-singers; and a further hearing may place them in rank with more pretentious vocalists."
Having at this musicale satisfied the critics, they were spoken of in words of warmest praise by the public press; and their subsequent performances in Boston created, after all, the same enthusiasm as that awakened in the West and in New York. I copy from "The Boston Journal" the following:—