The Press.
London, England, 1858-05-01 00:00:00

II tt s i r.

Tnz Vocal, ASSOCIATION gave its third concert yester-
day evening, the programme consisting chiefly of a
selection of glees by Webbe, Elliott, Goss, Callcott,
and Horsley. These were sung partly by the Vocal
Union, of which Miss Moss, Messrs. Foster, Montem
Smith, Winn, and Thomas are members, and partly
by the full chorus of the Vocal Association. There was
also Mendelssohn's ottett for stringed instruments,
steadily but rather coarsely played by Messrs. Bla-
grove, Collins, Pollitzer, and others ; and Kalkbren -
nor's concertente for two pianofortes, executed in a
masterly style by Mr. Benedict, and Mr. Lindsay
Sloper. Songs by Bishop, Balfe, Rossini, and Doni.
zetti were interspersed ; and a young lady, named
Gabrielle von Wendheim , played one of Ernst's fan-
tasias for the violin. She displayed a fair amount
of ability, and this, joined to a prepossessing appear-
ance, gained her considerable applause. The concert
was by no means so good as the preceding two. A
number of glees becomes monotonous, especially if
they are not of the best kind, nor chosen with a due
regard to contrast. Mendelssohn's ottett, too, is
rather dry and technical, and was but coldly received.
Madame Castellon and Miss Messent sang well, but
Mr. Tennant and Mr. Allan Irving are not the most
brilliant of vocalists, and altogether the concert
dragged rather heavily.

Has MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—The event of the next
week will be the revival of the Trovatore, which has
excited the interest and curiosity of the musical
connoisseurs of London. Mlle. Titiens will sustain
the part of Leonora, so well adapted to display ber
brilliancy as a vocalist and her genius as a tragedian.
Mme. A lboni will appear for the first time this season
as Azucena, the character which by universal con.
sent she has pre-eminently made her own. Signor
Ginglini resumes the part of Manrico, the beauty
and pathos of which ore familiar to all who heard
him last year.
MR. CHARLES DICKENS gave a reading of the
" Cricket on the Hearth " at St. Martin's hall on
Thursday evening—the first be has undertaken for
his own benefit. The hall was densely crowded, and
the reading marked by all the feeling and all the
drollery, the heartiness, the pathos, and the fun for
which this most popular writer is celebrated. Pre-
viously to the reading, he delivered the following
short address in vindication of the new character in
which he appeared :

Ladies and gentlemen,—lt may perhaps be known to
you that, for a few years past, I have been accustomed
occasionally to read some of my shorter books, to various
audiences, in aid of a variety of good objects, and at
some charge to myself both in time and money. It
having at length become impossible in any reason to
comply with these always accumulating demands, I have
bad definitively to choose between now and then read-
ing on my own account as one of my recognized oc-
cupations, or not reading at all, I have had little
or no difficulty in deciding on the former course. The
reasons that have led me to it—besides the considera-
tion that it necessitates no departure whatever
from the chosen pursuits of my life—are threefold.
Firstly, I have satisfied myself that it can involve no
possible compromise of the credit and independence of
Literature. Secondly, I have long held the opinion, anti
bare long acted on the opinion, that in these times, what-
ever brings a public man ann his public, face to face, on
terms of mutual confidence and respect, is a good
thing. Thirdly, I have had a pretty large experience of
the interest my hearers are so generous as to take in
these occasions, and of the delight they give to me, as a
tried means of strengthening those relations, I may almost
say of persocal friendship, which it is my great privilege
and pride, as it is my great responsibility, to hold with a
multitude of persona who will never hear my voice, or see
my face. Thus it is that I come, quite naturally, to
be bare among you, at this time. And thus it is that I
promed to read this little book, quite as composedly as
might tirocea4 to write it, or to pabliab
OW imp