The Express.
London, England, 1849-09-06 00:00:00

BIRMINGHAM MUSICAL FESTIVAL

BIRMINGHAM, WIDNXIIDAT.
The miscellaneous concert took place last evening,
as I announced in my despatch yesterday. It consisted of a
'election from the works of such composers as Beethoven,
Doniztui, Rossini, Weber, Bellini, Mercedanis, and Rode;
and the artistes included in the performance were Sontag,
bidlles. De Merin, Jetty de Trani, Madame Cute:lsn, the
Mimes Williams and Hayes, with Pischek. Mari Lsblache,
Sims Reeves, Mr. T. Williams, and Mr. Martin. The at-
tendance was very good—or course not equal to ttat of the
morninf, but still excellent, especially considering that
there is an extra evening concert at this festi-
val. Then was a fault in the concert being
too Itng ; it commenced at eight, and did not
conclude until put midnight, and so, notwithstanding the
excellence of the entertainment, a portion of the audience
became weary and departed; notwithstanding this draw-
back, however, it wan • concert which must hays given
a.uch satis'action.

The Athalie" of Mendelsaohn WIA the oratorio selected
for to-dey. I need say nothing of the composition itself : it
I is not a popular piece of music, certainly, but that it only
requires such justice done to it es it received bets this morn-
ing to make it so, 1 have no doubt whatever. The illustrative
verses were recited by Mr. Bartley with crest power, depth
of feeling, and accuracy of perception. The solos were sung
by the Misses Williams and Miss Stevens with exceeding br:l-
- and precision. The trio "Hearts feel that love
thee," was very beautifully sung and received en encore
from the president. The " March" was encored ; as
was shoo the succeeding chorus. It is impossible in
the limited time at my command to notice one half the
excellencies of this performance. The concluding passage,
of the eratorie were recited with singular grandeur; and
the concluding chorus was a powerful and excellent per-
formance; in feet throughout the choruses were almost
feultless' aid afforded conclusive proof of the wonderful
power which Signor Costa pommels as a conductor.

After the conclusion of the oratorio there was a selection
of music, it being for the most part of the very beet charms-
ter. Dr. Wesley opened with a grand, elaborate but
pleasing solo on the organ ; this undoubtedly possessed the
highest merit, and was very Rued applaw:ed. Miss C.
Hayes gave Handel's recitative, "0, worse than death,"
followed by the air, " Angels ever bright and fair ;" this was
sung with mach softness and beauty. Handel's grand
chorus, " Righteous H " was followed by the air,
" Sanctum et terribile" (Perielesi), by Pischek ; there are
passage' in this melody of exceeding beauty ; they received
the fullest justice at the handset this great artist. The prima
donna, Sontag, sang with oonsummate ability Haydn'' well-
known air, " With verdure clod ; " and Mr. Sims Reeves
followed with the equally will-known recitative from Han-
del, " Deeper and deeper still; " the first part of it
might have been done better ; there was an absence of that
sufficiency of ereprearioa which is essential to effect ; although
in the latter part of the recitative Mr. Reeves to sage ex-
tent supplied the deficiency.
The hall was tolerably well filled again this morning ;
the company was not so numerous as yesterday, but it was
larger than might have been anticipated. Amongst those
present were Lord and Lady Guernsey, Robert Stephen-
son, Esq., M.P. ; Lord Sandy', Lord and Lady Fielding,
Hon. Fred. Gough; the Miss Calthorpte and party;
W. 8. Dnadale, Esq.; John Dogdale and party; Rev.
William Graham; T. C. Whitmore, Eiq , M.P., and
wty ; C. Newdegate, Req., and Mrs. Newderate ;
The Dean of Worcester, Mrs. Peel and party ; Sir Thos.
Have, Bart; Hon. and Rev. Chancellor Law; Hon. Mrs.
Cuthbert; Sir J. East, M.P., and Lady Etat ,• J. H.
Foley, Req.. M.P. ; Sir John Palmerton, M.P., anti party ;
Lady Winnicifn and party; T. Whitmore Janes, Seq.;
Lord Wrot and party ; Edward Holland, Flo. ; LW]
Ashbrook ; L y Wilmot Horton; Mir Horton; Sir Wal-
ter and Lady Caroline Stirling Hon. Francis Carson ;
Hon. Mrs. Arbuthnot and MaHon. Vivian.
TO4lOllOl/ the Messiah is performed. This invariably
waves the largest &tandem at this festival.
The ressipte enTeesilay aiesalag mounted t 01,7991.13
in the evenly; the gem veseipla amounted to 4731. 3e. ;
the ember ci peelions
_pteenat being 115. This morning
there was received heat Viee•Preeidesas• tickets, 1001. 18s. •
other tickets, 6061. 17s. ; donations, 631. 10e. 2d. ; total,
7601. 35. 2d. There were 96 Tice-Presidents present, and
751 other persons, staking a total of 847. The gross amount
of receipts up to this time is 3,0321.195. 4d.