The Express.
London, England, 1867-09-20 00:00:00

COVENT CARDEN CONCERTS.

These Concerts have fully maintained their in-
terest during the five weeks that have elapsed since their
commencement. In addition to the usual miscellaneous
performances several special nights have been given, with
the first portion of the concert devoted to the works of one
of the great masters. The first part of last night's pro-
gramme conaiste,l of a selection from the compositions of
Spohr, cormeencing with his fourth and most elaborate
symphony, " Die Weihe der Tone " (known here as " The
Power of Sound ''). In this work Spar has unquestion-
ably endeavoured at some such result as that achieved by
Beethoven in his Pastoral Symphony—a purpose scarcely
to he realised by any but a composer of the
very highest order of imaginative genius. If, however,
the " Power of Sound " does not entirely fulfil its vast
design in the illustration of the subtle and metaphysical
suggestions 101 Carl Pfeiffer's poem en which it was
founded. it is, apart from such consideration, one of the
most splendid pieces of orchestral writing in the whole
sage of symphonic art. The exquisite grace and mei*.
dious beauty of some portions (ex the opening allegro, the
cradle-sung, dance movement, lee.), the noble animation
of the splendid march, the learned treatment of the chorale
in the thanksgiving movement, the affecting pathos of the
dirge. and the calm and hopeful religious expression of the
final "Trost in 'rlininse," with the splendour and
richness of the instrumental treatment throughout,
loader this symphony a masterpiece of orchestral art
It was admirably played by the fine orchestra assembled at
these concerts, including the best players of the opera
Lands ; conducted, too,with great skill by Signor liottesini,
'Whose efficiency was thoroughly proved in the several
c aanges and mixtures of imp) which render this symphony
so difficult in performance. But one vocal piece was in-
cl oled in the selection from Spohr, the song " Love and
C mrage," which was given by Madame Jetty Treffs, with
the obbligati acconmanhnents of horn and harp by Mr. C.
Harper and Mr. Trust. Following this, Mr. H. W. Hill
played the Adagio from the ninth Violin Concerto (in D
miaor) -one of some twenty or more such works for
which Sp olir will perhaps be as lung and as highly
rat .erred as for any of his other compositions -
his writings for the instrument on which he
was so great a performer standing quite alone in
these combination of high intrinsic musical merit with
their special purpose as vehicles for the display of executive
akill. The coact rto might have been given entire, with its
marstic first movement and its final exquisitely playful
rondo, both of which would doubtless have received simple
just;oe from Mr. Hill, whose refined Performance of the
slow movement, pure tone, expressive style, and neat
staccato, pleased so well as to secure an encore. The
selection terminated with the overture to Spe'ar's best
known end most popular opera, Jessowhi, perhaps the
most brilliant and splendid of his several dramatic preludes
—the bright and melodious allegro, with its rich har-
monic treatment and grand climax, contrasting admirably
with the gloomy impressiveness of its dirge-like introduc-
tion. The overture, like the) symphony, brought out the
power and efficiency of the orchestra with admirable effect,
and closed a selection which was listened to throughout
with the peatext interest and attention by the large au.
diem* that filled the theatre. The second partof theloon.
tent oonau.ted of the usual miscellaneous programme, one
of the chief features of which is the brilliant and spirited
dance music of Herr Strauss, conducted by himself.

oPENING OF TUB BARROIV-IN-FURNESS

DOCKS.

The marvellous and rapid growth of Barrow
during the last seven years has no parallel in England,
and reminds one more of the strides taken by some city of
the Wc,tern States than of the progress of a commercial
community of our own. The progress of Barrow is mainly
attribut..hle to the development of the hematite iron ore
trade, au Ito the active part taken by the Furness Rail-
way uoii pany in providing facilities for its promotion.
The docl..- yesterday formally inaugurated amidst gene-
ral rejoicing• on the part of tLe inhabitants of Barrow and
the neighoourhood—have been constructed at the expense
of the railway company. Mr. Ramsden, of Abbots' Wood,
who until lately was the secretary of the company, who is
now one of the most active of the directors, and who has
just been elected the first Mayor of Barrow, was the lead-
ing originator of the dock scheme, and was most heartily
supported by the Duke of Devonshire (the present chair.
man of the board) who, with the Duke of Buccleach, has
always manifested the warmest desire to promote
the material prosperity and social happiness of
the inhabitants of Barrow. The muscle of harrow's
strength, however, is the employment afforded by the
ironworks of the district, the principal establishment of
this kind having been founded originally by Meagre.
Schneider, Hammy, and Co., and recently placed under
the ownership and control of the Hematite Steel Company
(Limited). In order to estima•e the almost magical
rapidity with which Barrow has grown into a place of
commercial importance, we may mention that ten years
ago it was little more than a village, with a population
scarcely exceeding 1,000 persons, and those chiefly en-
gaged in fishing or seafaring pursuits, while there are now
shoat 17.000 inhabitants, and the whole aspect of the
place is that of keen activity and vigorous life. The town
itself has been somewhat overbuilt ; but there is little
doubt that with returning prosperity to the general trade
of the country, and with increased facilities for trade of
various descriptions afforded by the port itself, population
will soon overtake the existing accommodation.
Communication is now established between Barrow and
Belfast by a daily service of first-class steamer., and
these being connected with through trains to all parts of
England are found highly advantageous both for nice.
chandb,e and cattle, but particularly the latter. Steamers
are al-c plying regularly between Barrow and the Isle of
Man.

In order to enhance the interest of the ceremony of the
dock inauguration the directors of the Furness Hallway
issued inritatietur to a very large circle of visitors, induct'
ing all the members of parliament for the counties of Lan-
cashire. Yorks!.ire, Cumberland, and Westmoreland ; the
mayors of all the corporate towns in those counties ; the
directors, managers, and secretaries of all the railways in
the kingdom ; the members of the Mersey Dock Board ;
the presidents of the various chambers of commerce (in-
cluding in the cabs of Liverpool the secretary, Mr. W.
Blood, and the members of the conneill ; and the leading
commercial men of the district. There has perhaps seldom
taken place a local or commercial festivity in which the
representative element was so conspicuous and influential.
The Hight Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., waa one of the
invited guests, and amongst all classes of residents and poli-
ticians in the district his visit was regarded with great
interest And pleasure. Barrow has just been incorporated.
and Mr. Barmier), the mayor, has most cordially
co-operated with his brother directors, and the inha-
bitants generally to give as much eclat as possible to
the proceeding.. By an ingenious and provident arrange-
ment of the Fortress directors, and through the courteous
and prompt &remit of the various railway companies, the
invitation cards sent to each guest franked him from any
part of the country to and from Darrow, as well as to the
proceedi=gs of the inauguration aml to the banquet which
followed. In accordance with the wish of the mayor
yesterday was observed as a general holiday in Barrow.
The streets, which were gay with flag., Ice., were
thronged with people, the show of the North Lonadale
Agricultural :society, which commenced on Wednesday,
having. together with the dock celebration fete, attracted
large nun:hers of people from the neighbouring towns and
villages.

In the evening the guests assembled in the carriage shed
attached to the railway station, where a grand banquet
was given by the directors of the Furness Railway, the
Duke of Devonshire presiding, and his Grace of Bac.
eleuch filling the vice chair.
Mr. GLADSTONE, at the banquet, proposed the toast of
" The Town and Trade of BUTOW," and remarked chiefly
upon the enormous development of the iron trade in the
district. The Lord Provost of Glasgow proposed " Both
Houses of Parliament ;" and the Duke of Buceleuch and
Colonel Wilson Patten, M.P., responded. Mr. Gladstone
afterwards proposed " The Chairman. Health." The pro-
ceedings weri. most successful.

The ball given by the mayor wound up the daya testi-
% ities.

At nightfan the principal streets were illuminated by
transparenci.• and various designs in gas jets, and •
gigantic bouare blazed from " Old Barrow," a slightly
elevated ground claw to the town.