The Express.
London, England, 1851-08-30 00:00:00

WORCESTER MUSICAL FESTIVAL

WORCESTER, FRIDAY,
This was the last day of the festival, and although
it has undoubtedly not been a successful one, there are
grounds for congratulation in several respects; and if the
responsibilities of the stewards should prove to be heavy,
there is a guarantee fund fortunately provided by the libe-
rality and good taste of the public, which will in a great
measure relieve them of their burthens.
The last conceit of the festival, held in the College-hall
last night, proved, as was anticipated, the most attractive,
though this may be set down an much to fashion u to the
intrinsic merits of the scheme. Before proceeding further,
however, we should mention that the collection in aid of
the charity at the cathedral yesterday morning amounted
to 1611.
Last night the chief attraction (besides fashion) was a
selection from Euryanthe," and several songs set down
' for Millie. Cruvelli and Iferr Formes. At the opening of
the concert, however, it was announced that in consequence
of sudden illness (said to be English cholera), Herr I. onnes
would not be able to sing, and some extra songs from
Mdlle. Cruvelli were promised, and given with pod will.
The matchless overture to " Euryanthe" was magnificently
performed. Besides the songs set down for her in the pro-
gramme, Sir Charles Hastings announced that Mdlle. Cut-
elli would sing the " Ernani involuni." The whole of
the prima donna's songs were given with her characteristic
eiripressenient, and displayed tke full power and wonderful
training of her voice. At the close of the first part, in the
place of the tersetto from " Fidelio"—" Corragio," Mr. It.
Bl.sgrove treated the audience to sonic pleasing passages on
the concertina.
Introductory to the accord part, Beethoven's splendid
overture to" idelio" wan played in amasterlymanner. Then
followed the scene from " De rFreischutz"—" Before nip eyes
beheld him," which was most sweetly interpreted by Alias
Birch. The simple, yet beautiful, adagio, " Softly sighs
the voice of evening," was exquisitely sung; and the
second recitative, " Through the dark blue vault of ether,"
afforded a rich treat. Miss Williams sang Schubert's
pretty serenade, "0 see the moon's silvery light,"
very tastefully ; and Mr. Blagrove's concertina obli-
gato was quite in character. Ideate. Cruvelli and
Mr. Sims Reeves were warmly applauded in Verdi's
duet ("Attila") " Si, quello io son," ea was also the lady in
the air " l'rendi per me," from the " Elisir d'Amore."
The concert was brought to a close about half-put eleven
o'clock with the notional anthem, previous to which it wan
announced, on behalf of the stewards, that in answer to in-
quiries it won announced that Herr Formes was better, and
that he would be able (as previously announced) to sing in
the " Messiah" to-day.
The festival (at least as far as regards the musical portion
of it) was brought to a close to-day by the performance, at
the cathedral, of llandel's " Messiah, ' which is revived as
often as these festivals occur, and which appear slikely to
endure to the end of time.
The weather this morning, unfortunately. proved most
Inauspicious again, a keen wind and heavy storms from
the north prevailing. Notwithstanding the unsettled
state of the weather, the noble cathedral was well filled,
and proved (in point of attendance) to be the best day of
the festival.
The opening recitative " Comfort ye," and the air "Thou
shall break them," were beautifully sung by Mr. S. Reeves.
Hen Formes also, who seemed perfectly recovered from his
indisposition of last eveaing, was grand in " Thus smith the
Lord," and in the splendid air " Why do the nations." The
air " He shall feed his Sock," was most sweetly and deli-
cately sung by Miss Dolby. The air "How beautiful are
the feet," was beautifully rendered by Mdlle. Cruvelli, and
was repeated by desire, and the recitative " I know that
my Redeemer liveth," was also most exquisitely sung
D
Madame Castellan. The choruses generally were ,
particularly that fine composition " All we like sheep.' The
oratorio altogether produced its usual impressive effect.
The audience retired from the cathedral about half-past
' I three o'clock.
The amount collected to-day for the charity was 2011.
Preparations are actively in progress fur a grand ball at
the Guildhall to-night, which we hear is likely to be at-
tended by a large and select party. The tickets are flied at
a guirua each.

STEAM POWER AT

new engine hoe

been set to work at St. Helen's, Auckland collie 4. The
boiler so placed upon the surface, and the steam pipes are
taken down the shall, a depth of 80 fathoms, and then down
an inclined plane about 1.050 yards, making the total dis-
tance from the boilers to the engine upwards of 1,200 yards,
and the perpendicular depth about 882 feet. The engine
can lift and force about NO gallons per minute up the in-
dined plane, length as stated above, and perpendicular
height 412 feet.— The Builder.
ORLEANS AND BORDEACI RAILWAY.—A dividend
or 4 trues, or 3s. 2d. per share, is to Ist declared for tits
Ulf-year's working.