The Express.
London, England, 1855-08-30 00:00:00

BIRMINGHAM MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

BIRMINGHAM, WZDNIIIIDAT MonNino.
The first miscellaneous concert, last night, was
fully attenota. 'I. he ball, illuminated by the n.w and
beautiful " sun liunt►," appeared to OM grtater 'directs/le
than in.th• tnorn•eg. Th,e species r.flight is nut improperly
named. It is mild and 'viably diffused, and pleees every
object in a bridiant aspect, without say of the plan of t►e
lights to common Sun lights" sotto, of course,
some into juicers' its for greet public building+.
The concert of list night was exceedingly goud, bet had

the ordinary fault of tHrag too long— a laull increased by
the ■wns:ous encores for which the audience premed,
notwithstsodiog the earnest 'tryout, inserted in the pro
gramm., that they should not.
Madame Cast( 11,n, Madam, Viardot, and Mr. Weir es•
enrol th.m•elves greatlyond Mr. Costa bad etidcntiy
stowed great pains in doing justice to the choral and orches-
tral 'teem. At its close the audience paid a due tribute of
applause to the Wont of our distinguished countrymao, who
bowed his nanowledgments Lout the orchestra.
The 0111104 part of the concert commaaeed with Men-
delsioha's overture "The Isles of Fingal," admirably m-
asted. The pretty ballad, "In vain I would forget thee,"
from Beery Smart'. new opera of BettArs, was sung by Mr.
BIM Remo, and loudly 'neared. RCIIIiOI.II elegant duet
from Conte Ory, " Ab, quid respetto," was sang by Ma-
dame Castellon (in place of Madame Bosio) and Gardonl.
Ces'ellan, I may mention, sang the ma•ie sat down for
Bosio in the programme, and completely coosoled the
audience fur the disappointment caused by that lady's
uneipected Meru.

Grief then relented herself, and was received with en-
thusiasm. She sang the air " Gal la toes," frees the Par&
Mai, and I have of ter hoard hoe sing it ►etter. Her voice
was dear, fell, and flexible ; sad she executed the brilliant
roulades is the Caballetta with the greatest facility. Nest
Mme the quartet, " Us dl," tees Verdi's Riyoletta—tbo
one gem is a median opera. The beautiful eria from
Bpobr's Faust, " Is, deb fahl'iss" lo lento), was sung
by Madame Rudersdotff, who judiciously omitted the long
recitative, a piece of declamation suited only to the
stage. Her execution of the air was admirable, and most
warmly applauded. Lablaohe shim came forward to slag
his famous " Non pia mcdrai." The illustrious veteran was
welcomed with repeated barite of applause from every part
of the bell. They were renewed when be finished the air,
which he repeated with still greater animation (if possible)
than before. The two great Italian tenon thus appeared is
succession, to slag two airs of kindred character—Mario, the
air, " Tornami a dir," from Doniutti's Dots Pasquale, cad
Gardoni, " Una furtive Isprisa." from the Blisir d'Aaseru
of the same composer. Both were charming. and charm-
ingly seep. The part concluded with the overture to the
Preeschits, played with mervollone impetuosity. It was,
indeed, a blase of brilliancy.
The third part consisted wholly of thing' familiarly
known to Dallas otatort goats. The moat remarkable were
the overture to Menenieffe ; Fioravantes buffs dust, the
aegis/ lessee. snag by Grist and Liblacbe ; Hayda's
" Spirit Soap," which has bees so judiciously revived, and
is so admirably snag by Miss Dolby ; Spobr's duet from
Jassonda, " Bella Pilafs," snag by Madame Rudersdotff
and Reichardt ; Mozart's Posseeti Nutni," snag by
Formes ; Mario's Serenade from Dos Pasquale ; and the
Preghiera, from Mose, which terminated an excellent con-
cert.

The followieg distingnishad persons were present yeatsr•
day: Hairy Whitmore, Esq., M.P., and lady; Dean of
Worcester and party; Sir John Duckworth, Bart., M.P.;
Lord Carney., Lord Campion, the Earl of Westmoreland,
Earl Howe, the High Sheriff of Warwiekshirit, the Earl of
Denbigh, the Earl of Bradford, Lady Bradford, and party ;
t►e Lord Bishop of Wormeter, the Lord Sandy., the Lo.d
Wrottesley and party, the Right Hon. Sir John Pakingtoa
and party ; the Lord Calthorpe ana party, Sir Francis
13buckbargb, But, and party, Sir John Costwede, Bart.,
and party, Sir Thomas B. Winnington, Bart., M.P., and
party, Sir William Hartopp, Bart, Lady Hartopp, and
party ; Sir Prussia E. Scott, Bart, Lady Scott, and party ;
C. N. Newdegate, Esq., M.P., aad party ; C. Bowyer Ad.
derley, Esq., sad party; Wm. S. Deitch's, El., Mrs.
Dagdale, and party; J. Howard Galton, Erg., and party;
John Shays Manley, Esq., and party ; Samuel Polo Shaw,
Esq , and party; W. F. Taylor, El., and party ; Sir H•
Dymoke, Ban, Lady Dyssoks, and party ; Lord Kensing-
ton and party ; Edward Bailer, E.q., sod party; the Hon.
Col. Spenser and Lady Louisa Spencer; the Rev. William
Graham; the Rev. George Inge, Miss loge, and party;
Edward Holland, Esq., M.P., and party.
The following is the amount taken at the two per-
ferments:—Morning: Persons present, 1,674; amount,
1,13691 9s. 10d. Evening: Persons pretreat, 996; amount,
6071.; totsl, 2,t961. 9s. 10d. The gross receipt is less than
is 18.32 by mere than 3001. ; but the IsU off is entirely
in the donations, the attendance being greater than on that
occasion. _

COSTA'S NEW ORATORIO.
WRDNYSDAT Artlll4ooN.
The perforations of Costa's new oratorio Eii, the peculiar
feature of this Festival, took place this morning, and it,
success realised the utmost ezpectatioas of the cansposet's
slimmest admirers. The directors of the Festiest have the
satisfeetion of reflecting that they have once more been the
means of gieieg to the wor.d a new and original work,
which will take its permasent place among the greatest
productions of the age. Indeed, had it not been far the
encouragement which Costa received from the liberal and
energetic committee, it is very unlikely that the oratatio of
Eli would over have boos written.

The poem of this oratorio is from the pen of Mr. Bartho-
lomew, who be. taken the subject from the ant four clap.
ten of the Book of Samuel. The incidents narratel in this
passage an throws into the form of a lyrical drama in two
parts, and divided into a cossetted series of scenes, of great
interest in themselves, and admirably calculated to bring
into aerial the powers of music, both descriptive and ex-
pressive. The opening scene is is the Temple of God Is
Shiloh, and contains the celebration of the Festival of Fint
Fruits. The overture opine with a solemn strain upan tie
organ, which passes into a fogato movement for the set
chest,., Swearing in strength and fulness till it introduen
a lofty velitative, in which Eli, the aged high priest, calls
upon the people to celebrate the festival. The people
answer in a grand acid simple chorus ; and the scene con-
cludes with • fine piece of ecclesiastical harmony, in which
Bit's phrases of prayer and blessing, delivered in canto
form, an responded to by the choral " Amen" of the
people, the last of then responses being wrought into a
noble few. Forests, who sustained the part of Eli, deli-
vered his solo passages with grave dignity ; and their effect,
blended with the choral responses, wee deeply impressive.
In the second par, the interest of the subject goes on in-
creasing. The child Samuel is represented as ministering
in the temple. He was permeated by Madame Vi.rdot,
who sang a morning tiymo, full of beautiful simplicity, and
bringing to mind the music of Monello and the great old
Italian marten. This air, sung by Madame Viardot with
an eaprenioa of the deepest devotion, called forth irrepres-
sible marks of delight, and was consequently repeated. A
subsequent qoartett, evinisitely sung, without instru-
mental aecompeniment, by Castellon, Viardot, Reeves,
and Forests, received a similar mark of 'opt°.
Dation. Then came one of the most striking
thins. in the oratorio—the march of the Israelites going
forth to give battle to their ninnies. The mirth is at first
instrannestal ; it is followed by a grand chorus, terminating
in a short bat vigorously worked fugue ; and it is then re-
sinned, with the whole farce of the martial instruments,
an-I accompanied by the choral voices of the marching sol-
diers, till the monocle gradually die away in the distance.
Toe incident or Samuel being ca,led is the night by the
voles of God, which he supposes to be the voice of Eli, is
then introduced with as effect equally dramatic and bean-
Wul. The concluding stenos represent the catastrophe nar-
voted in the HAL of Samuel. The Israelites are defeated;
Els's ease are slain ; the ark of the Lord fa;la into the
buds of the enemy ; and the wretched old man, bearing
the tidisgs, fails down and dies. A day of fait and humilia-
tion es proclaimed ; and a great fegal chores terminates the
work.

I cannot attempt at present to characterise this gnat
work. It isetroogly marked by individuality ; ani iv, at
the MOO time, what might b. eapeoted from a man of ors.
gintl genius, whom earliest *ladies have bees tbe woes. ofl
the greet old cAttrapuntiate of hie own country, and
whose MAIMS have been eztended by • profound hum-
ledge of the amaterpieces of the Genital' school. 11. has
thti day achieved • meat spleadid triumph. When the per-
formance was WOK, wt Mali 1110 whole audience, but the'
at tubers of the orchestra sad the throw, lensed in ninfib-
tag .L ..0 and acclamations in his ►0... r. Fitt spouted
deepl, moved by • retep•tsn which wen DO more that •
just tribute to his genius and character.
The following were •mong.t t►e •ompany today :
Lord Willoughby de Snits sad Lady Willoaghbv de
Broke sad party, Bishop of WOMII.Of. Lord Wrottesky,
Dram of Wormier, Yrs. Prot sad piety, N. Nowdegats.

11%., ii P., and Mn. Nu/dna% and potty, Sir F. Soon
sad Lady Benet. Lady Bradford and party, Hari Westmont,
land an 1 natty, H. Whitmore, EN., M.P., and party, Hon.
and Rev. 0. H. Yorke, Sir John PakilLiton, Lady Puking.
on and port;, Lady Charlotta Chetwynd and party, Sir
I hoe. and Lady Winnington, the 1t.,. William Graham,
L rd D:nbigh, Baldwin Fulford, Fig , Captain John, lion.
Mr. Butler, Hoe. and 11011. C. Finch, Sir Charles Barry,
Cape. Arebdall, H.P.. C. B. Add.rle;, EA., H P., Hon.
and Rev. Mr. Begot, Rev. IL Bunt, Sir E. Smythe, Bart.,
Hon. and Rev. Mr. Herbert, Lord Sandy', Ilia Highness
Japan Prism of Surat and suite, Lord Calthorpe and party,
Mr. Hanbery, H P.
The muster present this morning was 1,604; which,
with 1951. received from donations and collections, make tip
a grem receipt of 1.4971. 18s. 81. In 1852 the amount re-
ativad on Wvdeesday morning was 1,6111., but the (all-off
is again confined to the donations.

NAVAL AND MILITARY.

WOOLWICH, AVOVST 29.
The following general regimental order has been
ireed at Woolwich :

" The War Minister, with the concurrence of the General
Commanding is Caiel,bae made the lollo•icg appAntmeste,
sic :

" Lieutenant Colonel W. H. Askwith to be Superin-
tendent of the Ronal Gunpowder Manufactories,in the room
of Brevet Colonel Diekson, C 8., appointed to a command
in the Turkish Cotangent. Captain C. H J A. F to
be Asaietant•lartruetor in the H.q.! Laboratory. Liente-
pact W. B B. Ella is tranalerted from Captain Maberlerit's
eompsny, 2nd Battalion, to Captain Veeey's company, 11th
Battalion."

The uodermentioned gunners and driven and artificers
of the Royal 110f14 and Foot Artillery have been ordered to
bold themselves is readiness for embarkation to the seat of
war on the shortest notice, to MI up vacanc'es, vie.:
Horse Artillery 21 g r, 24 driven, 3 shoeing smiths,
and 3 calla► m skim

Foot Ariillesy.-43 gassers and driven, 37 shoeing
smiths, 17 collar makers, and 5 wheelers.
Second Captain C. W. Elgin has been ordered from Shoe-
horning to join Captain Knoa'a soapier, No. 4, et the 9th
Battalion (0 Field Battery). at preterit I. Ireland.
Lieutenants II Newman, A. G. Miller, L. H. H. Parsons,
B. W. Phipps, and L. C. Cavendish are to proceed to Show.
biopsies oa &Wards,.

PORTSMOUTH, Atorar 29.
The ships composiog the escort to her Majesty
to Boulogne have arrived at Spitbead to-day.
The Neptune, 120, Captain Hutton, fl dig ship of
the Commander-is-Chief Vise-Admiral Sir Thomas Coch-
rane, sighted the port at half-peat nine this morning, and
the wind being contrary, Sir Thomas and Lady Cochrane
embarked on board the Fire Queen, steamer, Master
Commander George Alien, and same into harbour. Sir'
Thomas's flag wee Uses re-holes don board the Victory. The
Neptune was afterwards taken in tow by the Malacca, 17,
screw corvette, and towed up to &pithead. The St. George,
120, Captain H. Byres, C. 8., did not heave M sight of the
port till two o'clock this afternoogi and she will not
reach Spithearl till late to nigh(. The Rolla, and
&auk, naval apprentices' brigs, have also arrived, and
taken up their moorings is harbour The Rosamond, 6,
paddle-sloop, has gone down to Cowes to disembark her
HOMO equipage, which she bad conveyed to Boulogne.
The &Wei, 60, new sailing frigate, was taken up into
ordinary to day.
• Dutch frigate passed down Channel this aCtarnooo, but
her name or destination were not ascertained.

SOUTHAMPTON, Avortar 29.
A government ves-el arrived here to-day kden
who 1,0a9 shell*, to be sent out to B.lakleve in the Aus-
tralian C•vmpmy9 sterner Victoria. The General Screw
Company's steamers gums of the Booth and Hydaspes
have been taken up by the government to convey out hula
and troops to the Crimes.

DEVONPORT, AvoveT 29.
The Alarm, 26, Captain 1). Curry, was inspected
and mustered in the Sound on Friday last, and .ill sail this
day (Wednesday) for the Pacific. She tabu 60 second claw
boys t.ir distribution annum the Seat.
Is the Sound—Alarin, and Nautilus.
In Harbour—liaprounable, Royal William, H b,
Sylph, Avon, Dee, Confianse, Hansoase, was Devon
lighters.

DUBLIN, ACQUIT 29.

Yesterday was a grand field day in the Phcenix
Park, when the troop of the garrison assembled on the
Fifteen Acres. Major •O 1 Cochrane commanded, and
the Lord Lieutenant and staff were 'resent.

MALTA, Attoosx 23.
The whole of the depots of troops in Mal.a were
nearly cleared out of the recruits when the Ripon arrived
yesterday with 1,000 fmh hands from England.
The command at Malta will be assumed from this dsy,
till the arrival of Oil new Commander of the Forces, by
Brigadier General Williams.
The Orinoco steamed for Gibraltar yesterday, to take the
92nd Hightendon to Balaklava. The accounts brought by
the Orinoco of the success of the French end Pied moot's'
on the 16th has bad a most excellent effect on the troops
here; they are all in the highest spirits, and expect all sorts
of victories to follow.

The Argo towed oat a traasport, both toll of French
troop'.

24th.—The Andes towed in the Value, which latter bad
broken down with French troops on board when near Malta.
The Ems also arrived with the 51st Regiment on ►oard.
The French &teem frigate Ullos bee arrived. She bag let
one man by cholera, end has several ease of diarrhea on
board. Sbe wee subjected to five days' q tine, mach to.
th. annoyance of her captain, who strongly protested. We
have, I regret to say, several cues of cholera among the
troops in Malta, bet it is not believed it will spread.
25111.—French steam frigate Seine arrived with troops from
Maneilles. The 51s. Keg meat are to land in Malta for a
time, sad the Eau to return to-day.
The Vale's mat on to Malta, by a steamer she met at sea,
the portion of theses's* that was damaged, which hsa been
repaired, and she will be enabled to proceed on to Consuls-
tiaople en Tuesd►y nest.

DUBLIN, AtTO,7ST 29.

The weather is still somewhat changeable and un-
certain, bat the intervals of sunelithe are long, and
afford a good deal of favourable time for the harvest
work. A portion of the day on Sunday last, which
was bright and inviting, was very generally taken
advantage of, and nobody seemed to scruple employ-1
ing a few hours of the Sabbath in saving the crops.'
The principal portion of the crops appears ready fur
the sickle throughout the whole country, and the de-
ficiency of hands for reaping is universally felt, the
pressure of the seven having come on more rapidly
than in other years. la the wheat a great many ears
are found defective, and large quantities of oats have
been laid by the rains. But the worst feature in the
harvest is the spread of the potato blight, which in
some districts is said to be worse than for the last
couple of year., and to have almost quite destroyed
some particular kinds of potatoes, especially the red
ones. A Belfast paper says :
The diseases of the potato is not yet such as to attract
much attention, while the general appearance of the trope
is highly favourable and gratifying. The late heavy rains
—if they have been any way general—will, we fear, materi-
ally afoot the strops and interfere with the progese of the
harvest.

It appears that the camp on the Carragh was the
scene of a disgraceful riot on Sunday last. The oc-
currence, which it was near endangeriug the
peace of the whole camp, is thus described in the
Freeman

On the soldiers of the Clare Militia returning from mass,
the band of the regiment were ordered to form and play be
fore a small number of soldier,, not more than twenty,
who were proeseping to the protestant place of worship in
Newbridp. The cathelke belonging to the band re fated
to move, sad several of the soldiers expressed their deter-
mination to ►rak every instrument that should be played
on the occasion. An attempt was made by the adjutant and
several of tee Seers to enforce the order, bet without sue-
con, and we understand that the adjutant and some of the
°Mars were asoaalted by the soldiers, eevrral of whom are
at present in custody. In consequence of this circumstance,
orders have been issued to the elect that no military mute
shall be performed on Sundays before soy ngimeat in camp
while proceeding to any plans of worship.