The Express.
London, England, 1866-10-31 00:00:00

THE NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

NORWICH, Tosstisv.
This event was inaugurated last night, when the
first public performance took place— Handel's
Israel in Egypt being, as we have already stated,
the work selected for the occasion. At 8 o'clock

St. Andrew's-hall was thronged by an audience
sufficiently numerous to give the building an ap-
pearance of being full without being crowded,
while, owing to the excellent arrangements, there

,
was no confusion or discomfort to any. Among
the visitors of the evening were the High Sheriff
of the county, the Mayor and Deputy-Mayor,.
Sheriffs, and members of the corporation.

vious to lsrael in Egypt the National Anthem was
sung, alternately by the principal singers
and the chorus, the solos by Madame
Rudersdorff, Mr. Cummings, and Mr. Bent-
ley. The oratorio was given with addi-
tional wind instrument accompaniments, written
by Mr. Macfarren.
In the performance of Israel on the present
occasion, Handel was doubly reinforced—first by
Mendelasohn's special organ accompaniment
(played by Mr. Harcourt) written expressly by
that great composer to be used in lieu of additional
wind instruments ; and, secondly, by Mr. Mac-
farren's added wind instruments, written pro-
fessedly for use where there is no organ available.
The performance was generally efficient, indeed
marvellously so, considering the great fatigue the
performers must have felt after the long and labo-
rious rehearsal of the day. The choruses were sung
with great vigour and point, and with good
observance of the lights and shades of piano and
forte. It would be an improvement, however, if
on future occasions the organ could be brought
somewhat more forward, so as to be nearer to and
more audible by the choristers, whom it is chiefly
intended to support. The great double choruses
" The Hailstone Chorus" and " The Horse and his:

Rider," were of course among the most effective
pieces of the evening. The solo music was admir-
ably given by Mdlle. Tietjens, Madame Ruders-
dorff, Mdlle. Anna Drasdil, Mr. Cummings, Mr.
Santley, and Mr. Weiss. The air "Thou didst
blow," with its difficult scale passages, was
admirably sung by Mdlle. Tietjens • while
Madame Rudersdorff, among other instances,
particularly distinguished herself by the energy
and enthusiasm with which she declaimed
those few notes of noble simplicity, "Sing ye to
the Lord," leading up to the glorious climax of the
final chorus. Mr. Cummings sang as he always
does, like a thoroughly trained and well prepared
artist, which capacities he proved not only by
singing admirably the music which was set down
for him, but also that assigned to E..' fllnis
Reeves, for whose absence an apology was made on
the score of indisposition—an anneencement that
caused much disappointment and some expression
of disapprobation. For Mdlle. Drasdil we may'
venture to predict a prosperous future. She is as yet •
young and unknown (a pupil, we believe, of Madame
Rudersdorff), possessor a contralto 9f lieAutitel•
quality, full of sympathetic expression, excellent
intonation, and in fact every requisite to become a
distinguished artist. Mr. Santley and Mr. Weiss,
,
in the great duet " The Lord is a man of war,"
with its rivalry of imitative passages, were as effi-
cient as on the many former occasions that they
have sung the same piece together.
The commencement of the festival is so far pro-
pitious, and no doubt the many attractions in store
for the remaining day and evening performances
will ensure a final successful result. Yesterday's
sale of tickets was 364 at half a guinea, and 934 at
five Billings.

CIVIC BANQUET Tl► THE ATLANTIC