The Express.
London, England, 1853-11-30 00:00:00

MISS DOLBY'S SOIREES MUSICALES.

The most remarkable feature of Miss Dolby's
second soirie, last evening, was the performance of a new
composition by Mr. Lindsay Slopes, of a somewhat novel
form, a Fantasia for the voice and pianoforte, entitled,
"The Lady and the Nightiegaie." The words are a grace-
ful and fanciful little poem by. Mr. U. F. Cborley. A
lovelorn damsel of the olden time is sitting at her virginals 1,
(the pianoforte of the sixteenth century), fitfully touching
its keys, listening to the evening breeze, and musing sadly
on her absent and supposed faithless lover, while the song
of a nightingale from a neighbouring cypress seems to
respond to and echo her feelings. The ringing of a lute is
heard ; it is her returning lover's serenade ; and again the
song of the nightingale responds to her strain of joy and
rapture. This pretty subject is beautifully treated by the
composer. The vocal part, full of melody and passion, is
blended with brilliant and fanciful passages on the piano,
suggesting images of the whole scene and situation. The
piece, in truth, is a Cantata, with a rich and highly-
wrought descriptive accompaniment ; though its very ima-
ginative character, and the prominence of the instru-
mental part, give it a good right to the title
given it by the composer. It was most charmingly sung
I by Miss Dolby, and exquisitely accompanied by Mr. Sloper
himself; and its impression on the audience was so great,
that it will certainly become one of her most favourite
pieces.
Besides this, the most striking feature, the concert con.
tested several very interesting things. Mendelssohn's Duet
in D, for the pianoforte and violoncello, was played by Mr.
Sterudale Bennett and Mr. Lucas ; and Mr. Bennett per-
formed a solo on the piano, consisting of his Capriccio in A
minor, and his Tema e variazioni in B major—two charm-
ing compositions, which he executed with the grace, refine-
ment, and Sahli for which he is so highly distinguished.
Mist Dolby was assisted by Miss ?lenient, Miss Ursula
Barclay, Mr. Benson, and Mr. Walter Bolton ; and the
selection of vocal music, consisting of airs and concerted
pieces, was elegant and varied. In particular, Mr. Bennett's
floe song, "To Chloe in sickness," was sung by Miss Bar-
clay with much taste and feeling ; and Mr. Benson, in Mr.
J. L. Hattan's beautiful " I love all things the seasons
bring," showed himself to be one of our most accomplished
chamber singers. Miss Dolby's rooms were literally filled
11 to overflowing with fashionable company.

MR. HARRIS WILSON'S ENTERTAINMENT.
Last evening, at the Marylebone Institution, in
Edwards-street, Mr. Harris Wilson gave an entertainment
entitled " Mems. of Minstrelsy of Many Lands "—a lecture
intermixed with and illustrated by songs and ballad. He
gave a history of the minstrelsy. not only of England, Soot.
land, and Ireland, but of some of the continental countries ;
evincing much research, containing a great deal of curious
information enlivened with many amusing traits and anec-
dotes, and delivered in an easy, animated manner which
wee exceedingly agreeable. Mr. 'Wilson dosd not sing like
a vocalist by prehssion, but hie musical attainments are
evidently hoes of an amateur of more than ordinary calibre ;
and be accompanies himself on the pianoforte with conside-
rable brilliancy and effect. He gave great satisfaction to a
numerous audience, and we can recommend his entertain-
ment to the lovers of national music—they will derive from
it both information and pleasure.