The Express.
London, England, 1864-12-29 00:00:00

MONDAY POYCLAR CONCERTS,
81. James' s4uill.
—___

ARTHUB CHAPPELL
The SEVENTH SEASON of the MONDAY PoPCLAZ CON-
CERTS will COMMENCE oo the MVP-WINO of MONDAY,
Japutz7 16, 1865.

144Oisn'S'inT>re Souderton Ms grateful acknowledgments of the
liberal support which has enabled him to carry on these enter-
tainments with increasing prestige. throueh a period of six sue.
evasive years, the Director has much pleasure in informing his
kind patrons that the last season ;ix -a —in the course of
which 2$ performances were given—was not less remunerative
from a flinuelal point of view than from an artistic point of
view it wee satisfactory. His efforts to 4pholii the reputation
of the Monday Popular Concerts will continue to be unremit-
ting: and he may state with confidence that the forthcoming
aeries will yield to none of its predecessors in the maintenance
of that standard of completeness to which their high position is
due.

The first performance of the seventh season will be the 157th
since the Monday Popular Concerts were instituted .lcbruary,
ifsSio . Prom that time up to 'hr termination of last season
uly, 1a64,, the Interest taken In their progress by amateurs, not,
only in the capital but throughout the country, has constantly
increased, which alone can account for the fact of ISO concerts,
devoted exclusively to music of the highest order, being held
within so unpreeedentedly brief au interval.
The almost inexhaustible mine of wealth represented by the
works of tne great masters renders the task of selection cons-
Parativen easy, and, while dispensing with the necessity of any-
thing like experinsent, admits of the clement, of change being
continently hail recourse to, for the purpose of varying the
attractions and emit -adult the Intrinsic value of the programmes.
Until the establishment of the Monday Popular Concerts, the
ipilotets, quartets, trios, duets, until soil sonatas of Haydn,
Moaart, beethoven, Mendeissohn. Spobr. etc., the suites sod
fugues of Handel, J. S. Inch. Searlatti. and others, were only
farnitar;to.a small minority of the musical public : and as it was
with the professed intention of making the chamber music of re-
cognised masters, ancient and modern. familiar to the multitude
of amateurs In this osloot.th, the instrumental department of the
programmes will continue to draw its
_mistes almost ex,
c'usively from them. Nei piece need be thelmliN More then
once la the same series, unless by express deure a a majority of
the hat, tual frequenters.
Attra‘ted at trot to the Monday Popular Concerts by mere
curiosity, the great mixed public became by degrees con,tant
visitors. The prices of admhsion to the various parts of St.
James's-hall were so appointed as to suit all classes, from the
wealthiest to those whose means were TOOT! readily accommo-
dated by the shilling places, whether in the vast area, the seats
in the ripper gallery, o r the benches behind the performers to
the oruhestra, The privileges of the large community of music-
lovers !ming held lavionte, their attendance has been constant,
and they have proved one of the main supports of the under-
taking. On the other hand, the conveuituce of more exclusive
amateurs who prier lasts:slug to the music from reserved stalls
In the area and seats in the balconies has been alike consulted.
The short first season of lulu ,compsising la perfosmauces In
all. brought such receipts as warranted a Arm belief in the prac-
ticability of establishing the concerts upon a solid and per-
manent basis. That of 11.19-60, during which no less than
performances were given, left no farther room for doubt as to
the result while the seasons of Ito, fit, ISel-62, and 1510-64
justified increased and increasing confidence. in short, the
Monday Popular Concerts have taken so dim • hold on public
opinion, and are regarded by amateurs of music with such
unanimous favour, that the cold care of the Director is mow to
provide such executive means as may sustain them at the point
of efficiency to which the pubic has been accustomed from the
beginning. Towards this end arrangements hare already been
entered into with performers of the highest eminence, at home
and abroad. At the first three concerts Herr Ludwig Straus is
engaged as principal violin. Early In the season Herr Joseph
Joachim will appear, the cooperation of this renowned vinliutst
having been secured far a merino( performances la the spring and
summer months. Signor Piattl, as chief violoncello, will make
his nest appearance at the beginning of March, and continue
to hold that poet until the end of the season. As eteentantg •
soma and instrumental, In every departnieut, in short, artists
of recoguised proficiency will, as usual, he retained. and the
Director. em mirages' as be is from all quarters, trusts he may
again be permitted to assert that - a constant attendance at, St.
Jamee's-hall, through • series of Monday Popular Concerts. is
equivaleut to a varied course of lectures on the chamber mask
of the great masters, with practical illustrations by Use most dis- •
tinguished profemon of the stay.-
For the accommodation of those who may desire to occupy
the same seats at every performance, the Lerector proposes to
Issue subscription Ivory tickets at aS transferable , entitling
holders to a special sofa stall, selected by themselves, for 20
concerts. Early application to Chappell and Co., SO, New bond-
street, fur these tickets, Is Indispensable.