The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-02 00:00:00

MUSIC.

ST. MARTIN'S BALL.
This building, and the new approaches to it, being
now completed,the Great Hall was opened last evening
with a grand performance of vocal and instrumental
music, under the direction of Mr. John Mullah. The
public are aware that the design of this edifice ori-
ginated entirely with Mr. Mullah; and it hue at last
been fully accomplished, in spite of great difficulties,
by his energy and perseverance. It was long open
to the public in its unfinished state ; its completion
having been delayed till possession could be obtained
of the site of some adjoining buildings. As soon as
this took place the work was actively proceeded with
and the area of the great hall is now extended to the
F.:itudo contemplated in the original plan. Last
it was crowded by a great assemblage of lovers
music, who seemed as much surprised as gratified
by its grand and imposing aspect, of which its pre-
vious appearance in us unfinished state gave no idea.
It is of vast size, and capable of containing an im-
mense audience; but the justness of its proportions
give it a look of compactness which makes its extent
appear less than it really is. Brilliantly lighted up
it was pleasant and cheerful, and everything about it
had an air of comfort and convenience. There can-
not be a question that, for musical performances on a
great scale, St. Martin's Hall is now much superior
to any other locality in London.
The concert of last evening was, as usual, divided
iato two parts,the first part Sacred, the second Secular.
The principal singers were Madame Viardot Garcia,
Mrs. Endersohn, Madame Weiss, Miss Davies, Miss
Huddart, Mr. Benson, and Mr. Weiss. 'rho 'chorus
consisted of the members of Mr. Mullah's first Upper
Singing-School, that is to say of his mart advanced
pupils ; and there was a complete and powerful
orchestra, containing our most eminent performers on
every instrument.
Tke concert began with a Te Delon by Haydn, I
stated to be performed for the first time in this
country. It was a solid, well-constructed work, but
by no means equal to some of his Te Hennas already
well known. It appeared to have been written
without inspiration, being somewhat trite and fami-
liar in its phrases, and entirely conventional in its
forms. Madame Viardot Garcia sang the recitative
and air," If guiltless blood," from Handers SIIMUSSOI4
in the most pure and chaste style, and with perfect
truth of expression. The next piece was a Sanctus,
Hosanna, and Benedict us by Gounod, a French com-
poser whom Mr. Mullah first introduced to the
notice of the English public some six or seems
years ago. M. Gounod afterwards produced
an opera called Sappho, which was not successful
either at the Grand Opera at Paris or at our Royal
Italian Opera. Its failure seemed to be owing rather
to the subject and the libretto than to the music,
some of which was very beatnifuL This circum-
stance, however, appears to have had an unfavourable
effect (we trust only for a time) on the young com-
poser's career. His pieces performed last evening
were broad, simple, solemn, and severely ecclesias-
tical in style--too much so, perhaps, to be effective
when divested of the accessories of the church. A
psalm, " By the rivers of Babylon," composed by
Mr. Wiley, did great honour to the genius of that
distinguished young amateur, and was very well nag
by Mrs. Endersohn.
At the end of the first part, Beethoven's " Chad
Fantasia" was admirably performed—the pianofosW
lorlsiss Goddard, with all the principal singer%
, and orchestra. We have
beautiful and most original work to greater advan-
tage. Our gifted young pianist outdid herself—
pkying with marvellous firmness and brilliancy, and
with the fire and abandon which the fanciful charac-
ter of the music demands. The choral and orches-
tral parts were exceedingly well executed, and the
effect of the whole was quite charming. Miss God-
dard left the orchestra amid repeated rounds of

applause.
The second part began with two scenes from
Oluck's ()Vet 0: that in which Orpheus, at the en-
trance to the infernal regions, is opposed by a legion
of fiends; and that in which he discovers Eurydice
amid the groves of Elysium. The part of Orpheus
was sung by Madame Viardot, supported by the
chorus; and, though Oluck's music is more severely
dramatic than that of any other composer, yet these
passages are so beautiful and picturesque, and were
sung by Madame Viardot with such exquisite ex-
pression, that, even divested of their scenic acces-
sories, their effect was delightful. After one or two
things more, of minor importance, the concert con-
cluded with the IValpurgis Niyht of Mendelssoho.

FATAL COLLISION ON THE LONDON AND NORTH-
WISTURN Rmtwar.—The following statement is fur-
nished by the authorities of the London and North-Western
Railway :—On the morning of Thursday, a serious accident
occurred on this line, near Birkhampetead. The engine of
the train, leaving Easton Station at 9a m, owing to the
breaking of an axle was thrown off the line, together with
the leading guard's van and two following carriages. The
rear guard immediately adopted the necessary precautions,
and stopped all the trains following from London, but the
up express train from Birmingham, which was passing at
the moment, struck the •uard's van of the disabled train,
killing the guard (Wm. Maxey). Several passengers suf-
fered co•tutons from the shock, but all, with the exception
of one lady, an invalid, continued their journey. The line
was clear in about three hours.
EXTENSIVE ROBBERY OF CorroN.—At the
Liverpool police court, on Wednesday, John Woods, •
warehouseman, and Ann Hindle, were committed for trial
for obtaining 43 boles of cotton, value from about 4501.,
upon fraudulent representations. A manufacturer from
Oldham, named Bentley, bought the cotton, and was
also brought up, bat there being no evidence to connect
him with the fraud, he was discharged.
DAT OF HUMILIATION IN SCOTLAND.—Yeaterday
was observed as • day of humiliation and prayer in our
city, on account of the visitation of cholera, and the pre-
sent aspects of God's providential dealings with us as a
nation. The churches in connexion with the free, eats-
Wished, and episcopalian communions were open in the
forenoon and afternoon, the same SI on Sabbath ; and we
are glad to understand that the attendance was in general
about, if not fully equal, to that on the Lord's Day. The
discourses delivered were most appropriate for the solemn
occasion. The day was alio observed in Glasgow by the
different denominations, and throughout the country by
the free etterch.—BduOurylo