The Express.
London, England, 1848-11-25 00:00:00

lint RIM

DEATH OT SCHWANTIIALER. THE SCULPTOR.—
We regret to annowme the death of the eminent sealptar
Ludwig von fishwantheler, who expired on the 14th inst.,
at Munich, in his 47th year. lie was buried with great
pomp on the 17th inst., thousands attending his Wend.
His remains were deposited in the tonal, of Gen. Heidegger,
where thy will remain until the tomb is finished which
King Ludwig was causing to he built for him and his friend
the to director Chirtner.—fichwanthaler showed at an early
ages love for the arts. He was first destined to the study of
the wiencee, end applied himself, when a boy, to the deepest
study of Homer and the Greek tragedienr. The death of his
father obliged him to take to the business of statuary, a pro-
fession which had existed in the family for itenerations, and
was that of his father and uncle. In the Academy et
Arta at Munich, Schwanttuder did not find that
support which he deserved. The director Langer, a
pedantic man, considered him too free and independent
in his notions ; and it was in appal. ion to that person's
opinions that fichwanthaler followel the lectures on arehm-
*logy at the Lyceum of Thiersch. The quickness with which
he biome a proficient in drawing from the antique,
and the talent he possessed for composition, are shown by
the fist great work which he undertook. It was King
Maximilian I. who commissioned lt,ta to execute a large

silver Epergne is the rabbi of a plata or table, with-a
border of upright figures. This was to he upwards of 100
feet in length, and the figures to be six inches in height,
The composition of this border wee to represent the peaces-
don of the Gods of Olympus to the palace of Jupiter.
Schwanthaler began it, but before it was near being com-
pleted King Maximilian died. That portion of it, however,
which was finished is described as being very
beautiful. King Ludwig and the Duke Max. now
eitended their patronage to Schwanthaler, who executed
for the latter the myth of Bacchus in a series of relief coin-
positions for the Mize of a room in his palace. King Lud-
wig, however, was his greatest patron, and he executed for
the king the statues of painters in the Pinakothek, the pro.
teeters of plastic art in the niches of the Glyptothek, the
dramatic poets on the staircase of the theatre at Munich,
and the compositions for the pediments of the Olyptothek,
the badman. gebaude, and the Walhalla, besides many
otter relief pieces also at the Olyptethek and in the royal
palace. He also modelled many figures which were after-
wards reproduced by foundry. A series of statues of CSealt
heroes and heroines, which he hod been commiesimed from
Bohemia to execute, bay Wen interrupted by his death.
A HINT TO THE ROYAL ACADEMT.—It is probable
that some changes will soon take place in the coostitution of
the Paris Institut des Beaux Arts. As at present arranged
the members themselves hays the sole power of adding to
thw.Ymb.n by their own vette. ik is now propane&
that this establishment he placed under the contril of the
state, and that the members be named by universal suffrage
of the artists. _ _

Whilst on the subject of French art, we may a well give
here the substance of a speech delivered by M. Charles
Blanc, on the 22nd inst., during the discussion of a govern.
ment bill, demanding a erotic of 365,2311. for national
museums, which was granted: M. Charles Blanc entered
into some details relative to the economies and modi-
fications which had been effected of late in the various
public museums. A vast number of the works of
the fret metre had, he said, been taken from the na-
tional collections by the members ut the ex-royal family, and
plated in their own private residences. These had been now
brought back and replaced in their former position. The
collection of engravings had not been kept with safficient
are, and not len than 20,000, taken from receptacles when
they had been unseen, had been arranged, and now held
their rank in the former collections. The general inspection
had been made far more stringent in every branch of the
line arts. The department f.r taking cuts nom the antique
hai been altogether remodelled, th' work being now more
efficiently performed, and at a less expense.

.- -
SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETT.—The performance of
the "Messiah," for the first time under the don of Mr.
Costa, at Bxeter.ball bet evening, excited great hatred, and
filled the hall literally to overflowing, many persons being
unable to obtain admittance. The expectations of that
portion of the public who obtained admission were not dis-
appointed ; the performance, in its ressubls, having been
probably the most munificent that has taken place in our
day. Tee effects of Mr. Costa's labours in so short • time
are even greater than *Aid have been anticipated. The
power of the, chorus is now eammensurate with its numerical
strength. Every voice teUs ; and the numbers of each register
are so well balanced, and move together with such precision
and such exact proportion of sound that the harmony, with
all its grand combinations, responses, and points of imitation
and fugue rums as if it were produced by four gigantic
voices. Equally remarkable is the improvement of the in-
strumental orchestra. All the rasping, braying, and other
discordant noises, have reseed ; and we hear nothing now,
either from the voices or instruments, but pure =mien tone.
Mr. Costa has evidently studied Handel's score very
deeply, and has laboured successfully to impress upon
1 the performers the intentions of the composer. His readings
do not materially differ from thole of the ablest conductors
who bare gone before him : his great achievement hu been
to obtain from his performers an expression of every shade
1 and variety of the author's meaning. Several movements
were perceptibly quickened, and their vigour thereby much
inmeased. This was the case in particular with the choruses,
" 0 thou that tallest good tidings," " For unto us a child is
born," and the" Hallelujah." It was the case also with some of
the sin, especially "He was despised and rejected," whereby
Miss Dolby's singing was so much improved, that she was not
Wm the same person who deleted throtult it on the same spot
a fortnight ago. Perhaps the most striking . ffect which Mr.
Costa produced was in the chorus " For sate an a child is
born, the different choral parts, in succession, taking up
the subject scan sue, in the most subdued tons possible:
then swelling by degrees till they burst forth/Missies°.
" Wonderful, counsellor, the everlasting father, the prince
of peace !" had an effect which we never before heard pa-
ralleled. The principal singers were Miss Birch, Kim Dolby,
Mr Phillips, and Mr. Sims Reeves. Mr. Beeves sang in
" The Messiah " for the first time, and maintained his
claim to be received as the legitimate sucossan of
Brabant. He gave the opening recitative, " Comfort ye, my
people," with beautifully sustained notes and great dignity
of manner; and the air, "Every valley shall be culled,"
was a fine piece of vocalisation. His great effort was the
pathetic " Thy rebuke bath broken his heart," which be
gave with the impassioned expression of Brahmin himself.
The other singers, who have often been heard in this ora-
torio, acquitted themselves with their usual ability, and
more than their usual effect, owing to the excellent
manner in which they were accompanied. In cones-
queue of the ear nest appeal in the programme,
the audience abstained from applause and 'nooses, and
we trust they will continue to do so. Another jadicleas re-
commendation was also attended to. It was stated that for
the accommodation of persons desirous of leaving the hall be-
fore the conclusion of the oratorio, there would be • pause of
five minutes after the " Hallelujah Chorus ;" and it was
earnestly requested that those who wished to retire would
take that opportunity of doing .so. The effect of this was
that the concluding part of the oratorio we' performed nein-
tarrupted by the usual noise sad bustle of a departing oom-
Ptuy.