The Press. — London, England, 1855-06-16 00:00:00

JUNE 16, 1855. another, the virtuous and faithful hero; all the paasive endurance by the gentle heroine; all the fun (what there is of it, which is of the very mildest hue) by an Irish captain; and the lofty tragic work by a mysterious emir with a long pipe and a short sister. It is not the lot of an ordinary observer in real life, even under the extraordinary circumstances in which Mr. Grant's characters are placed, to meet with personages so sharply distinguished one from another, so entirely possessed by one particular virtue or vice, or by one particular class of virtues and vices, as the men and women in " Frank Hilton." How easily read would be the " painful riddle " of human character if it were ! In spite, however, of this theatricalness in the characters, of the extreme improbability of the incidents, and the absurdity of the devices by which the lovers ate alternately separated and brought together, there is enough of novelty in the scenes to render the book readable and in parts even interesting. alusir. ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA. THE Trovatore was repeated on Tuesday with the usual cast, and on Thursday a long night was given, in which the first act of Norma was followed by the Barbiere di Seviglia. Grisi was in magnificent voice, and was received with greater applause than usual. In the Barbiere Madame Viardot undertook the character of Rosina, with Lablache and Formes as Dr. Bartolo and Don Basilio, while Mario and Tam burini filled up the cast as A lmaviva and Figaro. As far as his acting went, Tamburini was perfectly full of vivacity and esprit, but his voice, as we remember upon his first appearance, is anything but the voice of other days. However, he got well through the " Largo el factotum," and, on the whole, by his perfect appreciation of character, made good amends for his failing in voice. Not that want of voice should always be a re cognised failing in the principal barytone of the Italian Opera; but Tamburini is an exception, and a great favorite. Lablache, as Dr. Bartolo, is too well known to need description, if description can be given of so incomparable, so genuine, a piece of acting. Formes, as Don Basilio, was inimitable; and Mario was the best Almaviva that has been seen. His singing, especially in the "Ecco ridenti," and in the duet with Figaro, was exquisite. But the gem of the evening was the Rosina of Madame Viardot. The freshness and esprit which she threw into the part, her brilliant vocalisation, the elaborate embellishments which she frequently introduced — albeit against strict musical taste—and her refined and delicate acting, gained for her the greatest success in this her first appearance as Rosina in England. The audience, which was extremely crowded, were in an unusually cordial humour, probably owing to the intense heat of the house, which was super-tropical when the curtain was down, and enthusiastically applauded the favorite airs. Lucrezia Borgia is to be repeated to night, and an extra night to be given on Monday. PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.—The seventh concert, given on Monday evening, was honoured by the pre sence of her Majesty and Prince Albert, accompanied by a numerous suite. The programme, by royal command, was as follows : PART I. Overture, " Chevy Chase" Aria, " Di militari ouori," Sig. Bellew (Jessondra) Spohr Sinfonia (Jupiter) bcena, " Ocean, thou mighty monster," Madame Clara Novell° (Oberon) Weber Overture, " Tiumhauser " - -- -- PART LI. Sinfonia, No. 8 Aria, " Ave, Maria," Madame Clara Novello (Cla rinet Obligato, Mr. Williams) Duetto, " Quel sepolcro," Madame Clara Novell° and Signor Belletti ( Agnese) Signor Overture, " Anacreon " Cherubinl Conductor, Herr Richard Wagner. A second performance of Wagner's overture to Tann hauser has not changed our opinion of it as a com position—it is a work of singular originality, but it is that species of originality which prefers mystery to simplicity. As a composition it is so intricate and so full cf instrumental difficulties that its sole merit, to any but the initiated few, would appear to consist in its obscurity; for, although there are one or two beautiful points, yet there is a want of melody and form, a want of union throughout the whole work, that those who appreciate Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Beethoven can never approve. In spite of all that is said in its favour in Germany, the overture to Tann hauser will produce little effect in England. Herr Wagner may be the great light of the modern Ger man school, but we are quite content to derive our ideas of excellence in composition from his greater predecessors. Mr. Macfarren's overture was played with great spirit and precision, and an encore, one of the most unanimous and enthusiastic we ever heard at a philharmonic concert, was the result. THE PRESS. Mozart's "Jupiter" symphony was performed, in which it is worthy of remark that Mozart, in addition to the usual stringed instruments (the orchestral quartet), only employs one flute, two oboes, two trumpets, two horns, two bassoons, with kettle-drums; and yet so admirable is the application of these, so well calcu lated are the contrasts and the relative powers of these few instruments, that every necessary variety of colouring is obtained, and the force and fullness of the fortes leave nothing to desire. The symphony was worthily rendersd, but it suffered much from the conductor's insatiable mania for changing the tame The symphony of Beethoven was admirably per formed, and the vocal music, intrusted to Mine. Clara Novello and Signor Belletti, was not only excellent in selection but perfect in execution. The room was densely crowded, and her Majesty and the royal party seemed highly pleased. During the recess her Majesty sent for and conversed with Herr Wagner. THE FIFTH CONCERT OF THE NEW PHILHARMONIC &merit took place on Wednesday evening. The programme included Mozart's symphony in G minor, Beethoven's concerto in E flat, and a selection from the Romeo and Juliet of the conductor, M. Berlioz, on the merits of which last we prefer to suspend our opinion for a time. The symphony is a great favorite with musicians, and remarkable for the absence of brass instruments. The first move• ment, full of energy and military pomp, was unani mously encored, an honour rarely conferred on its own taste by the public, in the case of classical instrumental compositions, which are too frequently suffered than enjoyed. The extreme length of the second movement rather tried the patience of the audience, but their spirits were quite restored by the fire and brilliancy of the last, and the symphony concluded amid the heartiest applause. Beethoven's concerto was performed, with a fair understanding of the composer's intention, by Mme. Oury, and was well received ; indeed, everything was greeted with applause, which, if not very discriminative, was at least very hearty, and must have been highly gratifying to conductor, orchestra, and vocalists. The intonation of M. Gassier, in Rossini's "Sorgete," from the Maometto was anything but perfect; but, if the majority of ears suffered as acutely as our own, the majority of voices " made no sign," and a sustained note near the conclusion of the song put everybody into the most unjustifiable raptures. Mme. Gassier did but scanty justice to the difficult air " Gli augui d'inferno," 'rum the Zauberliiite, though the audience applauded vigorously. The glorious over ture to Zan berfliite, capitally played, concluded the performances, which were for the benefit of the German Hospital, Dalstim. THE ANNUAL CONCERT OF Miss DOLBY AND MR. LINDSAY SLOPES, on Wednesday evening, at St. Martin's-hall, in spite of the antagonist attractions of the New Philharmonic concert, and the Ad ministrative Reform meeting, and the repellant influence of the very hot weather, was fairly attended. The very miscellaneous character of the programme renders any attempt at detailed criticism out of the question. Beyond mentioning the facts that Mr. Lindsay Sloper delighted his audience by his per formance of Mozart's concerto in D minor, and Chopin's variations on "La ci darem "; that Mi:;s Dolby sang Mercadante's " A to riede," a composition thoroughly devoid of all interest; that M. Sainton made a few airs from Rigoletto, including the eternal " La donna e mobile," the subjects of some very commonplace variations, quite unworthy of him ; and that Mr. Sims Reeves did not sing the song allotted to him in the first part, we have no thing to say, except that Mdlle. Ney sang Sphor's " Die stille nacht" with exquisite taste and feeling. THE SECOND FLOWER SHOW OF THE BOTANIC SOCIETY took place in the Regent's-park on Wednes day. The weather was sadly unpropitious, and the thousands of gaily dressed fashionables who were present were more than once driven for shelter into the large conservatory at the termination of the es planade, and the tents containing the flowers and fruits. Between the showers the military bands played with their accustomed excellence, but the en joyment was terribly interfered with by the rain, which, though only occurring at intervals, necessarily chilled the air, and rendered the gardens anything but tit or pleasant for promenading. The display of flowers was ss usual magnificent. CREMOUNE Ii.t.R.DENS.—The flower-show of the South London Horticultural Society which took place at Cremorne on Thursday last suffered the common fate of flower-shows in this country. Talk of the uncertainty of the turf or the Stock Exchange, they are nothing, a will-o'-the-wisp, to the uncer tainty of the weather in this country. But in spite of wind and weather flower stows are held, and, what is more, attended, and Cremome on Thursday pre sented as good an attendance as could, under the circumstances, be expected. Many rare and beauti ful plants were exhibited; and we trust that the pro prietors of these gardens will not neglect to repeat so obviously popular an attraction—upon a fine day. 577 Pflug Varktt an („itg (inttilignut. ETININO. ON Thursday, at their mee tang in the Bank parlour, the Directors of the Bank of England adopted a resolution reducing the nii ninium rate of discount from 4 to 3 per cent. This step was somewhat unexpected, being taken in the face of large exports of the precious metals, and a:gradual turn of the foreign rates of exchange to the disadvantage of this country. The reduction was accordingly not followed, as usual, by the large discount houses out of doors, although it will be useless for private establishments, however vast their business or their resources, long to stand out against the example set them in Threadneedle-street. The bankruptcy of an old and once respectable banking firm, Messrs. Paul, So.l'lll'll, and Batee, of the Strand, has almost monopolised interest in mone tary circles during the week. Some very discredit able rumours are afloat touching the origin of their embarrassments, and the expedients adopted with the view of keeping the concern going fur some months past. The aggregate liabilities of the bank are believed to amount to more than half-a•million, some reports giving a total of 700,0001., while the assets available for dividend have been reduced to the lowest ebb, promising at the outside a dividend of only a few shillings in the pound. The business of the bank was long supposed to be kept entirely aloof from all speculation, their customers being principally noblemen and rich private persons, who kept large balances, which the partners lent on mortgage and other substantial securities. It turns out now, however, that the affairs of the bank have been long desperate, and a vast speculation in some Italian railway shares or contracts, by which a loss °tabula 180,0001. is said to have accrued, is believed to be only the last of a long eerie* of unfortunate and, under the circumstances, unwarrantable ad ventures. In order to supply the notorious want of banking accommodation in the neighbourhood, both the London and Westminster and the Union Banks have announced the establishment of branches near Temple-bar. The fluctuations in the prices of Consols have not been extensive during the last few days. Generally speaking the market bas been far from buoyant, and quotations show a tendency to decline. On Satur day the prices marked were 911 2 ex div. for the ac count of the 10th of July; Monday 92 to 1 ; 'f ues day, 911 2; Wednesday, 911 2 ; Thursday, 911 1. To-day the quotations have been as low as 911, but recovered in the course of the afternoon to 91 1 j. The Omniurn of the new loan has stood at 41 to 5 premium. Reduced Three per Cents., 1121 ; New Three per Centi,, 92f ; Bank Stock, 211; New 'Termi nable Annuities, 18 15-10; India Bonds, 24; Ex chequer Bills, 108. to 19s. prem.; Ditto Bonds, 1001. The twirler books at the Bank for the New Five per Cent. Annuities, annuities for terms of years, Three-and-a Half per Cent. Annuities, and Two and a-Half per Cent. Annuities, will ha reopened on the 18th of July, and the books for Consols ou the 20th. The dividends will be payable on A. Monday, the 9th of July. SHARES. The fortnightly settlement in shares took place yesterday (Thursday), and the attention of dealers was chiefly taken up in arranging the accounts. When this was completed it was found that a con siderable quantity of Stock had been wanted for pur chase, and the quotations, which were previously de pressed, recovered firmness. The improvement has continued throughout to-day's transactions, and the prices of most of the principal lines range higher. FOREIGN. The market for Foreign 13 tocis has been well sup ported, and prices maintain a firm appearance. This afternoon Turkish Bonds underwent a slight decline, being done at 81i for money and account. Sardi nians were also depressed nearly 1 per cent. Other stocks remain as before. BANK OF BIIGLAND. An Account, pursuant to the Ail 7th cud 14th Victoria, cap. for the week ending on Saturday, thr 9th day of June, 1653. ISBUS PSPAILTIBENT. BlOteSlßßllid 1031,08,244 Uovernment Debt £11,015,100 Other Securities .. 3.964,900 Gold Coin t Bullion 17,053,943 Silver Bullion 331,036,946 1 1 ,(1.11,p0 B•WRINO DBPARTNIBIIT. Proprletors'Capltalt l4 , ss3,oo4 Government Seca dent Public Deposits • 5,447,20: Dead Weight An.) £12,702ji a Other Deposits +evon Day a other Notes Bills 707,11 £37,120,807 '37,320,601 • Including Exchequer, Savings Banks, Commissioners of National Debt, and Dividend Accounts.