The Press. — London, England, 1853-06-11 00:00:00

JUNE 11, 1853. the sense of pain is so strong that relief is sought in incregdulity. Consequently that which ought Re the to be thegreat climax t o seine of its effect. . gnier's Michonnet was an excellent performance — truthful, forcible, and unexaggerated, full of simple, manly tenderness. No words can describe the utter inefficiency of the rest of the dramatis persona, in cluding M. Raphael Felix, who appears, every time we see him, to have become coarser and more care- less. On Wednesday last M. Emile Augier's Diane was produced for the first time in London. This play is a decidedly clever piece of writing, and deserves great praise for its originality of thought and excellent construction. We are of opinion that our English authors might well take a lesson from their French brethren, and endeavour to emulate the care with which they compose their plots, more especially at this day, when the enormous increase of taste for the theatre requires that there should be a corresponding improvement iu the works that are to be represented. After careful and earnest consideration, we pronounce M. Angier a master of situation ; and, although the play is much too long, the interest is well sustained throughout, and the manner in which the end of the play is brought about is full of noble and poetic individuality of thought, and, moreover, displays considerable moral courage on the part of the author. Mlle. Rachel was great in the part of Diane. She wore a most becoming co me, stu and both looked and acted admirably well. If we are to find any fault, it is that she is not sufficiently devoid of that rigidity of manner which is the offspring of French Tragedy, and so well answers its purpose when confined to its native sphere of action ; but when another class of character has to be portrayed, in which the chief emotions are those of maternal devotion and sisterly affection, we think our heroine was not exactly that which the author intended to describe. In our judgment the most striking feature of Mlle. Rachel's performance was the motionless attitude and fixed gaze with which she heard the order given for her brother's execution. Her acting conveyed a notion of intense horror and despair which we have never seen depicted with equal effect by any tragedian. Of t h e other artists engaged in the representation the less is said the better ; the management seems to take a delight in uniting Mlle. Rachel's talent to the most incredible mediocrity of dramatic ability ; and the want of every element of scenic and decorative illusion engendered and obtained the most complete and unmistakable monotony. We regret that we should be compelled again to notice the undramatic and altogether indefensible practice of calling for Mlle. Rachel during the pro gress of the play. Even after her exit in the scene where she rushes away to procure her brother's release after receiving the order for his pardon she was compelled to return and acknowledge the applause. This practice is a most vulgar piece of adulation, and should be put a stop to without delay. We confess our surprise that so great an artist as Mlle. Rachel should so far demean herself as to answer to the call of those who, from their conduct, show themselves incapable of truly appreciating her abilities, and who every way demonstrate their bad taste and want of right feeling. glusit. ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA. THE performances have this week been confined to the Huguenots and Rossini's William Tell. This last opera grows greatly upon us, and we consider it one of the most remarkable works of modern days. A judicious use of the pruning-knife, and the substitution of some more efficient prima donna for Mme. Cas tellan (who, to her other shortcomings, now adds frequent imperfection of intonation), would, we are convinced, suffice to make this opera most popular with the general public. Next week Berlioz's Ben venuto Cellini is promised; also Don Giovanni, not, however, we trust, with the cast printed in the bills exhibited in the theatre last Tuesday, which seemed to threaten the most untoward results. NEW PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY. THE programme of, the fourth concert was RS follows : PART I.—Cantata, " Tho Widow of Nain"—Litulpaintner; Overture, " Don Carlos "—Maefarren ; Fantasia, " Le Chasse," Prudent—Prudent ; Symphony, " Jupiter "—Mozart. PNRT IL—" The First Walp ur gis Night "—Nlentielssoloi ; Air, "The Standard Bearer," M. Pischelt—Lindpainoter; overture, " Der Freisehiitz "—Weber. Although we failed to discover any striking fea tures or indications of original melody in M. Lind paintner's cantata, it is nevertheless the work of a clever and accomplished musician, and so far intelli gible and pleasing that we by no means considered as a waste of time the three quarters of an hour its performance occupied. The concluding chorus, which contains a fugue of much ingenuity and effect, was, to our mind, the best and most interesting feature of the whole companion. The instrumental part was well executed by the orchestra, but the gen tlemen vocal ists exhibited sundry and manifold imperfections ; M. Pischek was suffering from a severe cold , which at THE PRESS. times rendered his execution very imperfect ; and M. Reichart's hard German voice and style to a great extent marred the effect of the music entrusted to his care. We were by no means enraptured with the performance of the "Jupiter" symphony, which, though unquestionably well played., we have ofte then heard much better executed in this country. At commencement of the andante the band was evidently at fault, but they redeemed their character by their brilliant and correct rendering of the last and most difficult movement. Notwithstanding the accounts we hear relative to the classic readings adopted by M. Lindpaintner, we confess we could distinguish no difference between the tempo he endeavoured to ob serve anti that which for many years past has been universally recognised at the Philharmonic Society as the most effective ; and, in our judgment, the use of the mutes in the andante, though unquestionably authorised by the score, materially impairs the effect of a movement which is one of the most poetic and expressive of the great master's creations. Con sideriug the talent and experience of the band and chorus, we looked for a more perfect excution of Mendelssohn's " Walpurgia Night," music too well known to require any critical remarks at this day. Dr. Wyldo had obviously no controul over his orchestra ; and one or two palpable mistakes of the principal singers called forth expressions of disap probation from some of the more critical of the audience. Mr. Macfarren's overture is a very clever work, and we should be gla d of the opportunity of rehearing it. M. Prudent's music was pleasing, and his performance excessively good : he seems to have made much progress in his art since we heard him some years ago at the Philharmonic Society. M. Lindpaintner, whose engagement has concluded, retired from the orchestra amidst the most vociferous cheering and applause. We trust this ebullition of feeling was rather due to his character as a musician, and to that kindliness of deportment for which (vide the programme) he is sand to be so remarkable, than to his abilities as a conductor. Any person of practical experience can see that M. Lindpaintner does not possess the decision and energy which are the princi pal and most necessary elements in the composition of a great conductor, and that to compare him with such a man as Mr. Costa is a positive absurdity. At the next concert Beethoven's Choral Symphony will be performed under the direction of Dr. Spohr. COLOGNE UNION OF MEN VOCALISTS. THE engagement of the Cologne Society of Men Singers by Mr. Mitchell is quite an event in the musical history of this country. Although we are averse to comparing our native singers with our foreign visitors, we cannot help congratulating our selves upon their general superiority in part singing to the Germans and Italians, for they are usually free from shouting and whispering, and more truly observe the distinctions between piano and forte than the majority of foreigners. Still there is a merit in the German school which we should do well to imitate, that is, the organisation and discipline of all the individual performers, and their unanimity of mind, which, if applied to our own composers' works, would result in a very different effect, and awaken a more ambitious spirit amongst both authors and singers than at present exists. Let us give up pro fessional quarrelling, and endeavour to gain the de sired end by more honourable and legitimate means. The admirable performances of the Cologne Com pany should move our own artists to go and do like wise, by avoiding jealou s y , and supporting one another. We are quite of opinion that the Cologne Company deserve the highest praise that can be be stowed. Their singing is equally perfect in time, tune, and expression; and the music of the various pieces they perform is both good and interesting. Our limited space will not allow us to criticise minutely the elements of the programme, and we shall for the present content ourselves with stating that the principal tenor voice seems the only good solo one, and that the most effective piece sung on Tues day was the " Northman's Song," by Kiickner, which is distinguished by its bold harmonies and eloquent and descriptive melody. QI7 A RTETT ASSOCIATION. THE programme of the fifth performance was as follows Quartets, No. 4, in E flat, Mozart—MM. Cooper, Saban'', Webb, and Platti; Quonset, No. 3, in II minor, Pisnofinse, Violin, Viola, and Violoncello, Op. 3 (dedicated no Gabe), Mendeltoolin Miss Goddard, M. bonen" Mr. Webb, and Signor Plant ; Quin , tett, No. 9, in C, Op. 69, N 0.3, Beetitoven—MM. Stinnett, Cooper, Webb, end Pion' ; Solo, Pianoforte, Miss Goddard, Sketches, W. Sterndale Bennett. Mozart's quartett was exceedingly well led by Mr. Cooper, whose style and tone are daily improving. On reflection we are of opinion that the selection of Mendelssohn's quartett, written at the age of twelve years, was not judicious : however interesting in the history of art, it is not a composition of sufficient merit to interest and rivet the attention of a general audience. The execution, too, was not satisfactory; Miss Goddard completely drowned the tenor and violoncello, and the quartett was practically a duett between the pianoforte and violin. Beethoven's 141 quartett, led by M. Swinton, was admirably given, and excited much applause. We did not think Miss Goddard's performance of Mr. Bennett's studies very striking. Her power is prodigious, but she lacks expression and sentiment; nevertheless, on the whole, we prefer her to Mlle. Claus. Court anb Cashion. Her Majesty has spent the past week at Windsor, where the customary hospitalities of the Ascot ann i versa ry have been duly dispensed. On one day only, the Emperor's Plate day, the Queen visited the raeecour.4e. the Duke of Genoa being among the party from Windsor. The Court returned to town yesterday (Friday) evening. The Duke of Genoa, who arrived in London on ' the Ist instant, will leave England on Tuesday next. During his brief stay his Royal Highness has visited Windsor, Ascot, the Mansion-house, the Bank Of England, Woolwich Garrison, &c., &e. He returns' to Dresden to be present at the marriage .of his brother-in-law, which will take piece on the 18tIt . instant. Comte Demetri Nesseirode arrived in London 911 Monday, as the bearer of despatches from Prince Menseliikotf to Baron Brunow. Summer has really come at last, and has proved equally acceptable to the numerous distinguished individuals who have lef town to do honour to our great chief at Oxford, to the Ascot folks, and to the duller mortals who have remained in town. Though I can assign no reason except the tine weather, or possibly the increased and better accommod ation afforded by the railway, 1 certainly never remem ber the races to have been so fully attended, and their attraction has, as a matter course, caused a cer tain stoppage in the gay world and a blank in our report. One of the most brilliant parties of the year was given by Lord and Lady Jersey on Saturday last, to meet the Hereditary ()fluid Duke and Duchess of Mecklenburg Strelitz, the Duchess Caroline of Mecklenburg Strelitz, and the Duke of Genoa, who had the same day honoured the host and hostess with their company at dinner. On Tuesday a superb breakfast, served in artistic style, was given by Lord and Lady Ctuington, on the oecasiou of Miss Carington's marriage with Lord Colville. The ceremony VMS performed by the Hon. and Iles Orlando Forrester, in the Chapel Royal, Whitehall, to which the uninvited were admitted by tickets still). This most interesting and beautiful building , the bait . i queting-house of the projected Whitehall Palace, (de signed by huge .lones in the 17th century, and destined, a l as ! never to be completed), was, though uncon secrated, converted into a chapel in the reign of George I. Its beautiful proportions, as well as the ceiling, painted by lteubens were seen to great advantage when crow ded wi th a brilliant throng who assisted at the marriage ceremony. The same evening Madame Walewska's weekly assembly was honoured by the presence of the Duke of Genoa and a host of titled folks and commoner** both foreign and native. On this occasion several artists of continental celebrity exhibited the different phases of their talents for the instruc tion and amusement of the invited, amongst whom I noticed Gordigiani, a Tuscan composer, who has attained a certain reputation as an author of some popular Italian canzonets and ballads. Lady Cla rendon and Mrs. Monekton Milnes also gave arties. On Wednesday the Duke of Genoa, accompanied by Lady and Miss Barrington, and a select puny, invited by the Marquis d'Azeglio, breakfasted at Richmond. In the evening a concert was given by Mrs. Prideaux Brune, at their new house in Charles-street, Berke ley-square, at which most of the best Italian singers assisted. Although 1 protest against this species of musical entertainment (happily now going out of fashion) as injurious to art and unsatisfactory to the hearer, Mrs. Prideaux Brune's concert was as in terestinF as such concerts usually are. Miss l'yne was decidedly the star of the evening, and her pure voice and excellent N oodisation made amends 14 the a b s ence o f Grim), who was unable to attend from in- disposition. As I was on my way to bear the Horse ti uards' land play, the first day last week that the weather allowed ow to venture forth in the l'nrk without the certainty of returning with a sore throat, I bad an opportunity of observing the prevailing fashions amongst the eques trians in Itotten-row, and came to tins conclusion, that while the ladies have nwluestionably improved the stiff and unpicturesque costume of former years, by substituting a graceful hat—rather Spanish in shape—for the masculine and uncomfortable beaver, the gentlemen have made a decided change for the worse. So far as I could see,!shooting-jacketa seem the order of the day. Wby straps should be discarded seems more monstrousthan intelligible, inasmuch *sit c.ao pels the rider to take up his sumps two Wes shorter than the proper length, to keep his trousers below his knees. Friday Evening. . . .... Fders.