The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-02-21 00:00:00

'*ocal aab istrict 'gars.

GRAND CONCERT IN THE CORN

EXCLIANGE.

A Grand Concert was given in the above place !
on Tuesday evening last. It 'consisted of a per-
turinance of Meudeissohn's oratorio, " Elijan " !
top. 70), by a large number of local choristers,
assisted by professionals for the solo parts, and :
a lull orchestra, including two first violins, oue
second Uo. slid viola, viulluceilo, two flutes, pair
of drums, and hare-outwit.
The audience, aittiougu hardly so numerous
as it should have been, was very select,
most, of the local gentry being present. Eiijau,
which is undoubtedly tile liuest work ever con-
ceived by the fertile genius of Felix Mendelssohu
was lint porlorineil before a Birming-
ham audience, at one of the Triennial AUSieill
Festivals, where it met witu aileie sri eutimeiae-
tic reception, and achieved each en unequivocal
success that it has ever since formed the first
day's entertainment at tiiese great musical
gatherings. The soloists ou Tuesday eveuiug
last Were Mr. E. Lansmere (baritone), of Lind-
ley ; Mr. Ford (tenor), Miss and Miss E. Ariely
( op, runi) slid Miss Lloyd (contralto), of Bir-
s
minghaui.
'I he Oratorio opens with is solemn recitative
by the Prophet Elijah, announcing " There shall
test be dew nor rain, nut accuruing to my word,"
which was given with sufficient impressiveness
by sir. Lausidere. This ees followed by an
overture totoilerit to ton poeo it poeu piu al/dote),
indicative of the trouble under which the coun-
try is in oaring from thiti thlitetiOn ; welch was
rendered with great lire and precision be th
band. A hichluenuly recitative Keel chorus
iL'istesto Tempo, •• The deeps afford no water,
iind the river* are exhausted," is followed by the
duet, "Lord, bow thine ear," the latter being
very sweetly sung by the Misses Allely. Obadiah
(Sir. Ford) followed with the recitative, "Ye
people, rend your hearts, and not your gar-
ments." This was followed by is beautiful air by
Obadiah, "it with all your hearts ye truly seek
roe," which showed oft Mr. Ford's remarkably
sweet tenor Voice and perfect vocalisation to ad-
vantage. A stirriug chorus (itli,eiro vieare) "Yet
doth the Lord see it not," was exceedingly well
rendered, the bass especially being very effec-
tive. Whilst on this subject we may *tate that
this was in a great measure due to the presence
amongst the chorus of Mr. Munstou, of Kidder-
minster, whose magnificent voice Was of the
utmost service during the slinging of the first
part of the oratorio. A recitative, "Elijah ! get
thee hence, Elijah ! " introduced Miss Lloyd to a
Stoarbridge audience, and we ioust say that her
singing made a meat favourable impression on
all who heard it. Her voice is an excellent con-
tralto, and her notes are all rendered with that
tiromees and precision which denote the accom-
plished artiste. 'For lie shall give His angels
charge over thee," is double quartett (Wiwi, ma
non trappo) was beautifully rendered by Messrs.
Lansmere, Ford, Pagett, and another ; and the
Misses Allely, Miss Lloyd, arid mother. The
allgui'S command to " Elijab, arise and depart,
and get thee to Zsrephath," a recitative, having
been sung by Miss Lloyd ; there followed the
beautiful air and recitative in which the Widow
asks Elijah, "What have I to do with thee 0
man of God 2" and follows it up by saying,
"Help me, man of God! my son is sick! and
his sickness is so sore that there is no breath
left in him." This was beautifully rendered by
Miss Allely, with great pathos and feeling, end
was loudly applauded. prayer and the
Widow's doubt of his ability to restore her son
to life ; together with the latter's rapturous joy
at her son's resuscitation wore very finely ex-
pressed in the pieces which followed. A very
fine chorus, "Blessed are the men who fear
Him," having been very effectively sung by the
whole company; Elijah's announcement, " I will
shew myself unto Ahab" (recitative) was next
given with great majesty and telling emphasis
as was also the solo in which Elijah challenges
the priests of B ial to " select and slay a bullock
and put no fire under it." This introduced a
beautiful series of choruses of priests, begin•
niig sedsnie ,"Ire e new 'into in their first appeal,
arid then growing quicker and more urgent
In/kyr° rieitiv and presto) as they wore stung by
the erophet'e tauuts, " Call him louder." Then
I came Elijell's sapplication to God to send down !
Ifire Iron heaven on his own °fierier; ; whir a
beautiful quartett of angels inlerVening, " Cast
thy burden trpon the Lord," which was heartily
tily applended. The chorus which followed was
descriptive of the people's astonishment aud
lawe at the sight of the fire descending from
heaven. Mr. Laestuere's rendering of the air,
"Is not His Word like a fire," was a splendid
specimen of vocali-ation, and was highly appre-
ciated ; and was friloweri by the beautiful air by
Miss Lloyd," Woe, woe unto them who forsake
him. Then came Elijah's invocation to God to