The Express.
London, England, 1847-07-20 00:00:00

lausstc.

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BEETHOVEN QUARTET SOClETY.—Yesterday, this
society gave a nustine's in honour of Spohr, similar to that
which they lately gave in honour of Mendelssohn, The il-
lustrious musician was present, end the music consisted en-
tirely of his composition. The first piece was his Quartet in
0 minor, from his Op. 4; which (we have heard) was cam-
pond when he was only fourteen, and, considered as a juve•
nile production, is truly a wonderful effort of genius. It is
entirely in the manner of Haydn, the author not having
arrived at the age to have acquired a style of ha own ; but
it is full of beautiful ideas, expressed with the utmost grace
and elegance, Being comparatively of easy execution, this
quartet is an established favourite among amateurs. It was
played hi Messrs. Stanton, Joachim, Hill, and Rcus-
selot. The next piece was a grand Duet for two
violins, performed by Messrs. Joachim and Bainton ;
• splendid composition, executed with faultless precision
and admirable effect. Lastly, there was the famous
double quartet in E minor: Spohr himself took the principal
violin; the other violins were Joachim, &Linton, and Goffrie;
the violas were Hill and Thomu ; the violoncellos, Piatti
and Rowselot The illustrious composer was received by
the company with enthusiastic applause, which was renewed
at the end of every movement. His performance was dis-
tinguished by exquisite smoothness and delicacy, and
the quiet way in which, without the smallest apparent
effort, he executed the greatest difficulties. Nothing
could exceed the beauty of his phrasing and menthe-
tion, and the vocal tone and expression of his can-
tabile passages. It is hardly necessary to say, that be
was perfectly well supported in every part, and that
the effect of the whole piece was magnificent, He seemed
highly gratified by the warmth of his reception ; and cer-
tainly the society have done not only him, but themselves,
honour, by this elegant and appropriate " homage to
Spohr."
SIGNOR MASBONE'S CONCERT.—This gentleman,
who is an Italian bass-singer of some ability, gave a concert,
yesterday evening, in the Princess's Concert-room. It con-
sisted chiefly of vocal pieces from the operas of the day, sung
by Messrs. Oardoni, Tamburini, Roncoui, Masson; and
Mesdames Ronconi and AlboaL There were also solos on
the violoncello by Piatti, on the clarinet by Solbeck (a very
good player), and on the pianoforte by Mdlle. Pagliardini, a
young lady who belongs to the ultra-execution school. The
various performances were well received by a numerous
audience.

erte Drama.
FRENCH PLATS.—ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.—The
impersonation by Mdlle. Rachel, yesterday evening, was
Racine's l'Aidre, a part the characteristic of which is the inef-
fectual struggle of a potent mind with a potent pavion. The
meaner in which Rachel develops the leading idea, the effort of
the heroine to conceal her unhallowed love of her step-son,
Ilyppolitos, from the world sad from herself, is exceedingly
grand, wonky, not simply of Racine, but of his great pro-
totype in the play, Euripides. She was ably seconded by
her brother, as Ityppolitos. The performances now an
nounced for Wednesday, for Mr. Mitchell's benefit, are very
attractive. Besides a popular vaudeville and some dancing,
Rachel will appear, first in Virginie, and then as Celinsine,
her first appearance in comedy.