the tone reminded us strongly of the one used at the Temple Church. Of course Miss Henderson was the star, and as she had to sing most of the soprano and contralto songs from the Messiah, it must be admitted she had rather an arduous undertaking, but we must say she acquitted herself most admirably in both, her voice being one of great compass. She seemed equally at home in the air "He was despised," as in "Rejoice greatly," in which latter song she was most unanimously encored. We do not approve of encores in sacred music, but it appears an English audience will express their approbation when delighted, and if the conductor does not comply with their wishes a scene not untrequently occurs which it is far better to avoid, and of the two evils perhaps it is the least to allow the music to be repeated. Mr M'Korhell may congratulate himself upon having laid the foundation of a very excellent Choral Society; he has, at his own expense, erected the organ, which, although not one of the largest and most powerful in the world, is certainly a great ornament to the building, which is a credit to the spirited inhabitants of Northampton, and will afford them an opportunity of having musical enjoyments equal to the residents of Liverpool, Birmingham, and London, the hall being as commodious as the one at Liverpool, and will hold few less than Exeter Hall, or the Town Hall at Birmingham. Some complain of a reverberation of sound; this is the case in most large buildings, but the best way to remove that defect is for the head of every respectable family in the town and county to become a subscriber to the Choral Society, and then the Hall will be full, and the defect entirely removed at the Oratorio performances. We were delighted to observe that there were no less than five clergymen taking part in the concerted music, and we overheard a person say, as they had a Surman in the midst of them they seemed quite at home in their respective departments. The clergy assisting is an example it will do well to follow in the other Sacred Harmonic Societies, and will tend to do much to improve the musical portion of the service in our churches, which is capable of great improvement. The tenor and bass solos were creditably sang by the members of the Society, and we must not forget to make honour able mention of the style and manner in which Miss Jones, a native of Northampton, sung. the songs "How beautiful are the feet," and "Come unto him :" they would have done great credit to a more experienced vocalist. If this young lady studies under the direction of some professor she will be a most valuable acquisition to the Choral Society, and may become in time a bright ornament to the musical profession. We hear Mr. M' Korhell is to be assisted by a Committee of the most influential inhabitants, who, if they will consent to be guided by his musical experience, the Society has every prospect of becoming the largest and most useful in this country. May no turbulent spirits get connected with the management, with motives foreign to the objects of the Society, viz., the spread and cultivation of classical music, to disturb its present tranquility and peace. The Organ contains 19 stops, as follows:-a. Great Organ-Open Diapason, 8ft.; Double Diapason (wood), 16ft.; Bass-Viol, 8; Hollow Flute, 8ft.; Stopped Diapason (wood). 8ft.; Principal, 4ft.; Mixture, 5-ranks 2ft.; Trumpet, 8ft.-b. Choir Organ-Violin Open Diapason, 8ft.; Stopped Flute, of sweet intonation, 16ft.; Ditto, ditto, 8ft.; German Flute, 8ft.; Ditto, 4ft.; Principal, 4ft.-c. Pedal-Octave Bass, 8ft. Posaune (Trombone), 16ft.; Sub-Bass, 16ft.; taken from the Double Diapason, 16ft.; Violon (Double-Bass), 8ft., | Principal. 8ft.; Flute Bass, 8ft., the Hollow Flute, 8ft. Miscellaneous. FERDINAND PRÆGER.-This talented pianist and composer is in Paris en route for Germany, where he intends giving a series of concerts for the purpose of introducing several new compositions that have had considerable success in London. WALWORTH.-A concert, consisting entirely of concerted music, was given on the 17th ult., by the choir of St. Peter's church, under the direction of Mr. G. Lake, the organist, at the Lecture Hall, Carter Street. The only professional assistance was rendered by Miss Thornton, Mr. J. S. Hodge, and Mr. Kingsbury, the chorusses and the greater part of the glees being sung by amateurs, and given with considerable precision and effect. The programme was so varied that the want of solos did not seem felt, and some pieces were re-demanded. As well as we can recollect, Bishop's chorus," Rise, messmates, rise," Balfe's pirate chorus with solo There (Enchantress,) and a German glee, had to be repeated. must have been nearly 700 persons present, and upwards of £50 was realised, and appropriated to the Fund for fitting up some recently erected District National Schools. Mr. Lake conducted, and Mr. Kingsbury presided at the Pianoforte. HERR SOMMER'S CONCERTS at Willis' Rooms during the week have been much praised. His band is excellent and performs the popular overtures quadrilles and waltzes of the day with great energy and precision. Mlle. Therese Magner, and Monsieur Jorez have been the vocalists. M. Dupont is a pianist of great execution, the fantaisie on the Huguenots and Gulop Fantastique elicit immense applause, and the encores he receives are well merited. Sommer's performance on the "Sommerophone" is so well known from his frequent playing at the Chrystal Palace, that we need only now mention that his power over that enormous instrument is as great as ever, and the favour with which he is received by the public is a sure mark of his popularity. Herr LEGEND OF ST. CECILIA.-St. Cecilia, among Christians, is esteemed the patroness of music, for the reasons whereof we must refer to her history, as delivered by the notaries of the Roman Church, and from them transcribed into the Golden Legends and other similar books. The story says, that she was a Roman lady, born of noble parents, about the year 225; that, notwithstanding her having been converted to Christianity, her parents married her to a young Roman, named Valerianus, a Pagan, who, on his wedding-night, was given to understand by his spouse, that she was nightly visited by an angel, and that he must forbear to approach her, otherwise the angel would destroy him. Valerianus, somewhat troubled at these words, desired he might see his rival the angel: but his spouse told him, that was impossible, unless he would be baptized, and become a Christian, to which he consented; when, returning to his wife, he found her in her closet at prayers, and by her side, in the shape of a beautiful young man, the angel, clothed with brightness. After some conversation with the angel, Valerianus told him that he had a brother, Tiburtius, whom he greatly wished to see a partaker of the grace which he himself had received; the angel told him that his desire was granted, and that shortly they should both be crowned with martrydom. Upon this, the angel vanished; but soon afterwards proved himself as good as his word. Tiburtius was converted; and both he and his brother Valerianus were beheaded. Cecilia was offered her life, upon condition that she would sacrifice to the deities of the Romans, but she refused: upon which she was thrown into a kettle of boiling water, and scalded to death; though others say she was stifled in a dry-bath, i. e. an inclosure from whence the air was excluded, having a slow fire underneath it. The tradition concerning this distinguished lady adds, that it was on account of her great excellence in music that she was visited by the angel that he was drawn down from his celestial abode by the sweetness of her melody; and that the transcendency of her vocal and instrumental powers caused her to be styled the Patroness of Music and Musicians THE GERMAN ORGAN, which obtained a prize medal, has been purchased by Mr. Charles Croskill, and is placed in the large hall of the Exchange at Northampton. The builders, Messrs.. Schulze, of Paulinzelle, are the most renowned in Northern Germany. The tone possesses great character for boldness, variety, and delicacy, and yields as much power as some organs with twice the same number of registers, a list of which we subjoin:-8. Hauptwerk.-Principal 8 ft., Bordun 16 ft., Gambe 8 ft., Hohlflote 8 ft., Gedackt 8 ft., Octave 4 ft., Mixtur 5 fach. 2 f., Trompete 8 ft. b. Oberwerk.-Geigen Principal 8 ft., Lieblich Gedackt 16 ft., Lieblich Gedackt 8 ft., Flottraverso 8 ft., Flottraverso 4 ft., Principal 4 ft. c. Pedal.-Octavbass 8 ft., Posaune 16 ft., Subbass aus dem Bordun 16 entnommen, Violon 8 do. Principal 8 do., Flotenbass 8 aus der Hohlflote 8 do. NATURAL EOLIAN HARP.-In Kolb's topographical dictionary of the Grand Duchy of Baden, we find the following notice of a CIMAROSA.-There formerly existed in Turin an immutable STREET MINSTRELS.-The police in Cologne has issued a notice NOTICE TO COUNTRY SUBSCRIBERS. The Proprietors of the MUSICAL WORLD beg to state, that in future Advertisements. ROUSSELOT AND CO.'S NEW VOCAL MUSIC. 1. Orphan Hours, the Year is Dead, by Minima, 2. Rouse, Rouse ye, Swains, duett, by Minima... 3. The Midshipman's Star, by S. Rousselot 4. Spring is returning (Frühling Sehnsucht). by Gustav Hö zel THE ENGLISH GLEE AND MADRIGAL UNION, Willis's Rooms, St. James's, on Monday, 19th January. WE COCKS and CO.'S GENERAL CATALOGUE of NEW MUSIC, vocal and in any part of these kindoms, by application to Messrs. Cocks, New Burlington-street, THE ROAD TO HEALTH. HOLLOWAY'S PILLS! CURE of a disordered Liver and Bad digestion. Copy of a Letter from Mr. R. W. Kirkus, Chemist, 7, Prescot-street, Liverpool, dated the (Signed) relief. She continued to take them, and although she only used three boxes, she is plaints Skin kinds Fits Gou! Debility Head-ache Bowelcomplaints Erysipelas Infl mmation price 2s. Od. Colics Female Irregu. Jaundice la ities (Sung by Herr Pischek before Her Most Gracious Majesty). Rousselot and Co., 66, Conduit-street, Regent-street. Piles Tic Douloureux Liver complaints Stone & Gravel N.B.-Directions for the guidance of Patients in every Disorder are affixe to NOTICE OF REMOVAL, Professor of GRAMER'S STUDIES: J. Maker to the Army and Navy, begs to mony, and Musical Instrument THE First Volume of these celebrated Studies are now divided that he has Rem ved from 76, Leadenhall-street, to 13, Clifford-street, Bond-street. MR. CRIVELLI BEGS to acquaint his friends and the public that a Third Edition of the "ART OF SINGING " enlarged and newly arranged in the form ΑΝ NEW SACRED MUSIC. Just published, price 16s., NDREWS'S "HARMONIA SACRA," containing Solos, DIATONIC FLUTE. BY ROYAL LETTERS PATENT. many additional fingerings, which give great facility to the performer. It is Grand Variations on "Coming thro' the Rye," and "Jock o'Hasel- New Grand Capriccio, with ditto ... NEW MUSICAL WORKS, MR. R. WILLIAM BINFIELD'S FIRST RECITATION of £2,000 WORTH OF PIANOFORTES, By Broadwood, Collard, Tomkinson, Wornum, &c. J. Richardson. WEDNESDAY, January 14th, at 1 for 1 o'clock, SUBMIT for SALE at R. S. Pratten. H. Nicholson. A. Siccama. JUST PUBLISHED BY T. BOOSEY & Co. BOOSEY'S VIOLIN JOURNAL.-250 of the newest Operas, 12s. in a handsome Vol., suitable for a present, or in 10 Nos., Is. 6d. each. BOOSEY'S CORNOPEAN JOURNA, or the Cernet à Piston by and Songs, arranged expressly SCHNEIDER. Price 12s. in a handsome Vol., or 10 No., 2s. each. BOOSEY'S FLUTE JOURNAL.-250 of the best Operas, Dances, and Songs, arranged expressly for the Flute by SCHELLER. Price * Each of the above works contains a different selection of Airs. HEAP EDITION of SONNAMBULA, Pianforte Solo.- Во OOSEY'S STANDARD LYRIC DRAMA.-The following PORTRAITS of Handel, Beethoven, and Mendelssohn.— Messrs. Boosey have lately published three uniform and very handsome por- London: T. BoosEY and Co., 28, Holles-street. R. KELLY, MUSICAL INSTRUMENT AUCTIONEER, will, on Mr. Kelly's Sale of Musical Instruments takes place the second Wednesday of Just published, price 15s., M. D'ALBERT'S PRESENTATION ALBUM FOR 1852. Polkas, &c.; and produced in a style to render it the most elegant and attrac- D'ALBERT'S EDINBURGH QUADRILLE, price 3s.-Just published, the third edition of this, the best Quadrille on Scotch airs ever D'ALBERT'S and since at all the great balls in London and the provinces. "These waltzes are GRATIS WITH THE DISPATCH' OF SUNDAY NEXT, Cherbourg Quadrille, the Pars Quarrille on French airs, Edinburgh on Scoten airs, JANUARY 4. THE Subscribers to the Weekly Dispatch will be presented number of persons who daily, during a period of five months, visited the Crystal D'ALBERT'S POPULAR MUSIC.-New editions, beauti- The most favourite of the above works are also arranged by Mr. Tutton for a full Chappell, 50, New Bond-street. Printed and Published for the Proprietor by MICHAEL SAMUEL MYERS, of No. 3, PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY MORNING. Terms of Subscription, per Annum, 16s.; Half year, 8s.; Three Months, 4s.; (Stamped Copies 1s, per Quarter extra. Payable in advance, to be forwarded by Money Order, to the Publishers, Myers & Co., 22, Tavistock-st., Covent Garden. No. 2. VOL. XXX. SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1852. NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS. The Publishers of the MUSICAL WORLD respectfully request that all Subscribers whose accounts have been sent in will remit the amount due forthwith. THE OPERA AT DRURY LANE. We are still at fault with regard to the forthcoming operatic doings at Drury Lane. Mr. Bunn as yet has issued no official scheme, and all sorts of rumours are afloat as to his future intentions. That the enterprising manager is labouring hard to bring together an effective and complete musical company, as we said before, we are confidently assured, but up to the present time, from circumstances over which he has had no control, nothing definitive has been arranged. When the regular opera season is to commence we have not ascertained, although the announcement of Der Freischutz in the bills would seem to signify that it opens next week. What strength of vocal corps Mr. Bunn has obtained to give due eclat to Weber's great work we have not at this moment learned. We can hardly believe that Mr. Bunn would produce the chef d'œuvre of the composer, which has been lately given in so perfect a manner at one of the great Italian houses, otherwise than what would redound to the credit of his theatre, and would exhibit a good foretaste of his future operations in the cause of that art, of which he has proved himself for so many years the strenuous advocate and uncompromising upholder. The fortunes of the English Opera are now entirely dependent on Mr. Bunn, and if he fail in his endeavours, all hope seems lost for its revival. But we shall put our trust in the Drury Lane lessee, feeling confident that what can be done will be done, and look forward with no small anxiety and interest to the prospect which a few days cannot fail to unfold. In addition to the novelties which we have specified on a former occasion, we are informed that a new grand Opera from the pen of the talented conductor, Mr. Schira, entitled Kenilworth Castle, founded on Walter Scott's celebrated novel, will be produced early in the season. It is also said that Fra Diavolo, one of Auber's most delightful works, and now wearing all the features of novelty, will be revived for Mr. and Mrs. Sims Reeves. This is welcome news, and we hope not founded without sufficient reasons. Fra Diavolo was always a favorite with the English public, and, if we mistake not, was first produced in this country under Mr. Bunn's Price Fourpence. Stamped Fivepence, . direction. The part of Fra Diavolo would exactly suit Mr. Sims Reeves, while Elvira would find an admirable substitute in Mrs. Sims Reeves. The opera was last given, several years ago, under Madame Vestris's administration at Covent Garden, with Miss Rainforth, Messrs. Harrison, Clement White, &c., since which period it has not been heard in any theatre in London, the Surrey, we believe, excepted. There was some talk last season of its production at the Royal Italian Opera for Mario, but unfortunately for all lovers of good music and good singing, the idea was knocked on the head. It has been asked why Mr. Sims Reeves, who is a tower of strength in his own person, does not appear at Drury Lane at once, and inaugurate the session with one of his favorite operas. The provincial engagements of our great English tenor are concluded, and nothing stands in opposition to so desirable a result. The reasons accorded for Mr. Sims Reeves's non-appearance at this early part of the season seem startling. It is said that he objects to performing during the run of the pantomime, This is hardly within the compass of belief. Mr. Sims Reeves must be aware that, to speak within bounds, as great artists as himself have deemed it no condescension to appear before the foot-lights during the merry season of Harlequin, Pantaloon, Clown, and Columbine. John Kemble thought it no act of degradation, neither did Edmund Kean, nor Macready. Braham, too, on more occasions than one yielded his powerful assistance at this festive time of the year, and was never known to shrink from appearing because the popular pastime was to follow. We do not think that Mr. Sims Reeves, who is a thorough artist at heart, would make so futile and impolitic an objection, and must therefore assign the report to some casual observation. Mr. Bunn has done all within his power to procure novelty for his visitors, but the musical public have their eyes upon him, and are looking anxiously for his declaration, which will make or marr their dearest hopes. We repeat, we have every confidence in Mr. Bunn's energy, determination, and will, but, as the Irish cook said to her mistress, "It is impossible to do impossibilities without a conveniency." Wanting materials, the manager cannot work, and if these be unattainable, despite energy, determination, and will, the brightest intentions must be frustrated. Let us hope, however, for the best, and wait patiently for the results of a week or two. By that time, the fate of Drury Lane, as an English Opera, must be ascertained. M. ALEXANDRE BILLET, This man, whose gentle endeavours to promote the taste for classical music is so well known, has undertaken the direction of a series of six classical and miscellaneons concerts at Crosby Hall. A more competent artist could not have been selected for the purpose. M. Billet has engaged some of the first talent in London; and he purposes commencing the series on Wednesday next, with the assistance of Miss Dolby, Mlle Helene Cundell, the Misses Cole, and Mr. Edward Turner, as vocalists; and Herr Jansa (violin), Herr Lutzen (violoncello), Signor Briccialdi (flute), and Mr. Frederick Chatterton (harp), as instrumentalists. M. Billet himself will be the pianist. The first part of each concert will consist entirely of classical music. These concerts are upported by private subscription. MR. AGUILAR. We have much pleasure in calling the attention of our readers to Mr. Aguilar's announcement of a series of concerts, in the present number of the MUSICAL WORLD. The fact of the instrumental portion of Mr. Aguilar's soirées being exclusively devoted to the pianoforte works of Beethoven, is the best guarantee the talented pianist could have given that the pieces performed will present every variety; for there has been perhaps no composer whose works, although all bearing the unmistakeable stamp of his individuality, embrace such a multitude of different styles, as those of the Shakespeare of Music. Considering that besides the more generally known trios, Beethoven wrote numerous sonatas for pianoforte, with accompaniments; and above thirty for piano solo, the greater number of which are by far too rarely heard in public, it will be easily perceived that there is material enough for many more soirées than the number Mr. Aguilar has announced. We congratulate Mr. Aguilar as being the first person to whom the idea presented itself of undertaking the honourable task of making more generally known such grand and immortal productions, and hope he will meet with the encouragement and success he so well deserves. ment that the Ephigenie en Tauride of Gluck was on the Guided by the precepts, and animated by the example of so great a painter of the passions, Mehul devoted himself with ardour to dramatic composition. But his acquaintance had now become extensive, and so importuned was he by the ETIENNE HENRI MEHUL. visits of his numerous friends, that he foresaw that the opere ETIENNE HENRI MEHUL was born at Givet in Belgium, which he had undertaken to set to music, as his first essay the 24th June, 1763. He was indebted for his musical pre- in this, the most arduous department in the art, would never dilections to the organ of the cathedral, seconded by the be finished. Having made the acquaintance of M. De Noir, organist, whose good graces he was so fortunate as to obtain. superintendent of police, he repaired to his residence, and on He afterwards enjoyed the instructions of a more skilful being admitted, thus addressed him: "I came to solicit a master-the learned German, Henser, under whose auspices favour at your hands." "Name it." " That you would shut Mehul devoted himself during three years to the practice of me up for some weeks in the Bastile.”. "In the Bastile! the organ and the study of the counterpoint. So rapid was for what purpose?" "To finish an opera which I have enthe progress he made, that at this period he was able to re-gaged to set to music; have you it in your power to oblige place his master at the organ; and he would have become his successor, had not the desire of glory led him to seek a more worthy field for the exercise of his talents. He went to Paris at the age of sixteen, where he received instructions from the celebrated Edelman, by whom he was initiated into all the higher mysteries of composition. The young Mehul first became known to the public by a set of sonatas, which manifested a very decided genius for instrumental music, and met with a most encouraging reception. At this epoch, the Hercules of dramatic music was effecting a revolution in the French lyric theatre. The great civil war that raged between the Gluckists and the Piccinists, contributed to give a reality to that French School of Music, which before had existed only in name. Mehul had himself related the following anecdotes, which merit a place here, He arrived in Paris, in 1779, at the mo me ? "I really have not." "Well, then I must be my own gaoler, and positively imprison myself in my chambr till my work is done." Nothing could be more brilliant than the debut of Mehul at the Opera Comique. It was with the opera of Euphrosine et Coradin, taken from the daysof chivalry, full of interest and situation, to which the composer had done justice, both in point of character and expression. The duet it contains, expressive of jealousy, was always mentioned by Gréty in terms of the warmest praise, as a piece in the highest degree dramatic. Euphrosine, however, was not the first production of Mehul of the dramatic kind; he had already composed an opera entitled Alonzo et Cora, which was not represented till afterwards, at the Academie Royale de Musique, and met with only amoderate degree of success. |