The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1875-05-04 00:00:00

And of the sani—e- opinion lug

Let all those whom it may concern mark and consider I
the above, for we have hail sometimes deeply to deplore
the want of attention given to most exquisite entertain-
ments on account of want of publicity, and Weymouthians
have been insulted (of course not in this paper) for now
attendance at concerts where many of the songs were in
a foreign tongue. The audience on Tuesday was so over-
whelmingly large and so plainly included many
that it was a complete answer to any charges .4 classes,
of
musical taste in this town. Handel, Haydn, Bishop,
Balk, Rossini, and other composers, bad furnished the
music, 410 that the concert was of the first class, the words
were all in our own beloved English, and the publication
was properly attended to, so that the three requisites for
tillfeC,l (we take:agreeable singers anal instrumentalists for
granted) were all there. The reserved seats were increased
in an extraordinary way, extending into the middle of the
room, yet there was not a chair unkaken, and the other
seats were literally crowded, while many had to
sit in the spaces usually kit vacant. The repre-
sentatives of the committee were indefatigable in pro-
curing the comfort of all, and so, although unusually
crowded, a little patience, especially with those who came
late, removed all suspicion of inconvenience. The" house'
was of Itself a sight worth seeing ; but we cannot venture
to describe the attractions of fair faces, graceful form;
' and beautiful costumes, nor the intelligent pleasure
shown by all, Li the performance went nu. The Associ-
ation, tilling four or live tiers with ladies and gentlemen,
and the excellent orchestra that assisted them, were
themselves a goodly company, and included a worthy
proportion of the beauty and talent of Weymouth. Among
the principal names were: Artistes Soprano, Miss
Matilda Scott; Contralto, Mrs. Stodman: Tenor, Mr.
Manama ; Basu, Mr. It. Oakley. orchestra: First
Violins, Mr. W. Stone, Colonel Swaffield, and A. Z.
Palmer, Esq.; Second Violins, Mr. T. S. Wallis, and Mr.
Phillips : Violinnello, Mr. Parsons; Basso, Mr. Bridgman ;
First Flute, Rev, E. May; Second Flute, Priv. Seillajek ;
First Clarionet, Corporal Clyne ; Second 4 larionet, Private
Brown •. Oboe, Consand Ilaggemato ; .tlt Horn, Drum-
Major Whittle; Bassoon, Private Butcher. Conductor,
Mr. T. Avant. Accompanist, Mr. G. Thorne. The con-
cert open.sl with Handers "Occasional" overture, and it
hays much for the Instrumentalists that they com-
menced with a spirit and, stiecess far superior to what
is generally observed in the first piece. Perhaps the fact
a it; being, lay the immortal Handel may account for this,
but it is seldom that anything more graceful, or in another
part so brilliant, is heard; the performance started the
concert with is flush of success which it did not lose
throughout, and the performers were deservedly
applauded. Then commenced the great work of the
evening, Haydn's " 'reati 1111 l " the first solo being taken hy
sthss scott, a young lady of pleasing appearance, awl with
a clear Yoke. Iler singing of "The Marvellous Work "
was most plmsing, and the chorus was specially effective.
She followe with " And Bed said ' Let the earth bring
forth grass," awl in the air" With verdure clad achieved
an. success'. her sustained notes were remarkable for
power and of considerable sweetness, Mr. Illandfonl
kok up the recitative "And Ohs Heavenly Host," his
useful tenor is beyond doubt a great acquisition to the
Association. "Awake the Harp was taken up by the
choir with a spirit which seemed to prove they had Made
it their own, and they gave it with all the joyfulness
appropriate. After the music describing the formation of
lights in heaven, the 'lcarus The
.",:hietmall,ea..v.enlltarthLtesi.laingwr".
woo sling most pleasingly by the choir, and the grand
crash Gf sound towards theend shov,.ed how well they inGii
Ltriundgiedf.tprtlhiti,""ntehePairatculiar accompaniment supposed to
represent the creation of fish and fowl was noteworthy.
and the musicians well rendered theme descriptive sounds.
Miss Scott rose to the increasing grandeur of the subject
in Anging "on Mighty Pens," in which her upper notes
were most clear awl pure, and suggestive of the keen cold
air in which the eagle loves to mar, while in the sweeter
strains following she WaY very iton and pleasing. Mr.
4 kikley now mine forward ka render the grand and quaint
eirwts describing the creation of beasts ; be gave the
creation of the lion with as rough fulnesa appropriate, and
showed considerable flexibility of voice in the somewhat
difficult passages following. In the following air his
" With heart sad roue Hie aoo4lacts Wain "