The Express.
London, England, 1857-04-18 00:00:00

SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY.

The performance of Judas Muccabeus drew as
immeme assemblage to Exeter hall last night. This Ora-
torio, though as a whole it is by no means one of Handed's
greatest work., was more sunweafol than most of them whet
first produced, and appears to have been always popular. It
is mid to have been designed as a oompliment to the Duke d
Cumberland on his return from Scotland after the victory
of Culloden; and all accounts concur in stating this to have
been the case ; though, with the single exception of the
triumphal march and chorus of " See the conquering hero
comes,' it is impossible to discover the slightest analogy
between the noble struggle of the Jewish nation for their la-
dependence rind liberties and the suppression of the Scottish
rebellion by an overwhelming power, or between the charac-
ter of Judas Manobeite and that of the Duke of Cum-
berland. Be that aa it may, the work, though some
parts of it ate rather in the ad raptandsm style,
containa several of Handel' s grandest and most beautiful
oonceptione. He has written few liner choruses than the
dirge, "Mourn, ye stained children," with which the ors-
Melo opens; than the sublime prayer, "0 Father, whom
almighty power ; " or than the response of the Jewish beet
to their gemming call to anus, "We hear the plena,.
dreadful call," so full of calm and stern reoolutton ; and in,
finer airs than " Pious orgies'," " 0 Liberty, thou chokes
treasure," or "From mighty kings be took the emit.
When these things are well executed, the performance ism",
to succeed, and we never heard them more lively exicatd
than last night. The muster of solo voices was remarkably
strong; It included Madame Clara Novelle and Madams
Ituderadortf as soprani, Miss Dolby as coat:mite, Mr. Sires
Peeves as tenor, and Mr. Thomas as bass. All acqeittel
themselves admirably. Clara Novella's smooth end sea-
Mined delivery of " Pious orgies, pious airs," so devoutly
pensive in its character, contrasted beautifully with her tea-
tient execution and jubilant expression in " From mighty
kings he took the spoil." Madame Rudenderif pee
bar principal airs, particularly Wire men, Uttering,
may deceive you," with that musician-like purity of

style which distinguishes this scoomplisheci s;tiet.
Sims Reeves, as usual, produced an electrifying effort in

" Sound an alarm," that moot exciting of nauacal IMF
cries ; and Mr. Thomas gave the noble air, "Arm, arm, ye
brave," with great energy. The duets were delightfully
sang : " From this dread scene," by Madame liuderederi
and Mr. M. Smith; Sion now her head .hall mite," by
Madame C. Novell° :and Madame Rude/at:kid; 0
never bow me down," by Miaa Dolby and Madame C.
Novelle ; and " 0 lovely peace," by Madame Ruda...doff
and Mir Dolby. The choruses were sting with the tumult
precision and grandeur of effect. The performance made eat
immense impreetion. The audience were repeated is
abstain from applause or encores, but their enthusiasm was
often uncontrollable, and the request was disregarded.
The performance wu honoured with the preside of
several members of the royal family, including the Princes
Royal and the Princess:Alice.