The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-31 00:00:00

THE COURT, 4c.

MUSICAL MEMORANDA, i.

Mr. Alfred Mellon has taken Drury lane Theatre
during Passion week, an will give a aeries of grand vocal
atd instrumental coacerts', supported v the principal

artis:s in London.

A grand Verdi festival is announced to take '311" at
Exeter Hall on Easter Monday. The three operas, .t:''o°'
lab, La Traviata, and Il Troy-gore, are to be representeef
in a condensed form with the assistance of fi -st rate
artists, band, and chorus, The voc :lis!,s are Madame
Clara Novell°, Miss Louisa Vinnine, Miss Dolby, Mr.
Millardi, Air, Weiss, and Mr. Sims Reeves. Conductor,
Mr. Alfred Mello ea
alr. Howard G'over hag announced a series of ‘• Educa-
tional Cencerts for tie,: People," to be given in Se M tr:ia's
Heil. The fire; is to take place on Saturday vex'.
Following the exaa:ple of last season, when two unknown
works of Mozart were gien on the opening night, the
directots of the New Plailharmoac. Society have this year
announced for performance at the hit concert Iloz art's
serenade for thirteen solo performers, whol,'Y unknown in
England. This serenade was performed last s",ear at the
Gowandhaus concerts in Leipsic.
" Mdlle Marie Cruvelli," writes the France Musicale of
Sunday last, "as regards talent and beauty, the worthy
sister of Sophie Cruvelli, now Baroness Vigier, has departed
for Lyons, where she his accepted an engagement of two
months to create the role of Azacena in 'll Trovatore,'
which she has been assiduously studying with M. Duprez.
Mdle. Marie Cruvelli has a voice of great compass and great
power. She is, moreover, an accomplished musician. It
is impossible, with all these qualities. that she can fail to
create a powerful sensation in the theatre at Lyons."
We (Musical World) are requested to state that Mr.
Loder is progressing favourably. The funds which have
been devoted to his support for nearly five months, are now
exhausted ; any additional donations will be thankfully
received. Sataleeiptioes should be sent to Mr. J Aut
Bossey, the treasurer.
We regret to see the folleWing among the obituary
notices given by our daily cotemporaries this morning:—
"On the 28th instant, at his residence. No. 23, Osborne
terrace, Clapham road, Adam !Adler, the celebrated and
popular vocalist, aged 49, of apoplexy, leaving a large
family, totally unprovided for, to deplore and :mourn over
their severe loss."
A. correspondent of the Musical World writes from
Milan :—" The Scala is to be let for the ensuing seas on,
or for a term of three years, if desirable. The government'
allowance (including that for the Cannobiana, the smaller
royal theatre, and forming part of the agreement) is
300,000 zwanzigs per annum, about £lO,OOO English
money. The lessee need not reside in Milan. The
admission to pit and boxes is three zwanzigs (2s), gallery,
851 Now, what say yon, gentlemen speculators of
London ? Would you like to play the Italian impresario ?
Or what say you, Messieurs Lumley, Gve, &e., &e. ? Is
the £lO,OOO a suffieiently attractive bait ? Will you try
a dip in the ' lucky bag?'"
The Italian Opera at Paris is about to close after
what may be fairly called a successful season. " Among
the rising ;stare at the Lyrique Theatre," says
Galignani, "is a young lady, Mademoiselle Panne-
trot. whose musical Career promises to he brilliant,
although the stage can scarcely be considered the
most suitable plate for the display of her remarkable
poweis which seem better adapted for sacred melodies than the
opera. Mlle Pennetrat is attached to the imperial chapel,
where she frequently sings the Salutari', to which she imparts
a fervour and deep religious feeling never heard without pro-
ducing a profound impression on every hearer. Tbeir Majesties
have repeatedly done the young artiste the honour to txpress
their admiration in the most gracious manner."
On Saturday Professor Phillips concluded his interesting
course of lectures' at the Royal Institution, on leading
questions in geology, with the coesideration of "geological
force and time, exemplified by waste and renewal of land,
and other changes within the historical period."
MR. AGUILAR'S MATINEE MUSICALE.--011 Thursday,
this distinguished professor gave a morning_ performance
ut pacauv........ .......,,, •,., il ounaner or rats most itUV44IIUOtt
pupils. They played a selection from the works of
Mozart, Beethoven, Sebastian Bach, Chopin, Herz,
Thalbetre, &c. ; and by their intelligence, expression, and
clear and brilliant execution, showed the fruits of sound
instruction. A sonata of Mozart, played by Miss Weldon,
a sonata of Beethoven by Miss Henry, and Thalberg's
duet on airs from Norma by the Misses Samuda. were the
pieces which excited especial admiration. The rooms
were crowded with fashionable company.
Mr. Maurice has removed the Working Men's College
from Red Lion square to a new home at No 45 Great
Ormond street, Bloomsbury. "We may say, "observes
the Inquirer, " That Mr. Maurice has removed it, for the
n'w house is bought for the college, as a freehold, with
£1,500, of which Mr. Maurice himself gave £5OO, and
he rest, says the report, has ' been raised on mortgage,'
but we believe we are justified in adding what is in the
report modestly suppressed, that Mrs. Maurice is ebe
lender. Of the £l,OOO lent only £6O are at present
repaid by subscription ; froin the £5OO given, the college
gets substantial advantage in a great decrease of rent.
It is impossible not to admire greatly this noble devotion
to a cause."
Peette.—The Figaro, Triboulet, Gazette de Paris, and
the roix du Perevie. have received notices of actions for
libel on the prior M. Holstein, the manager of the Gaite.
These journals lately con'ained articles asserting that a
new piece called L' Avenyle, attributed in the Gaite bills
to MM. Attila, Bourgeoie, and Dennery, and which has
met with very great success, is a piracy.
ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.—Mr. Gyp has now issued his
prospectus of the ensuing opera season. He states that it
was his intention this year to carry on the performances
of' the opera at Drury lane, but having beer prevented
by unforeseen circumstances, he had again taken the
Lyceum ; " and while he much regrets the exclusion of
a great portion of the general public from the perform-
ances of the present season, he has the satisfaction of being
able, by judicious alterations in the building, to accome;
date a very considerable number of the regular subscribers.'
He adds that he trusts for the season 1858 " he will
be able to restore to the Royal Italian Opera a home equal,
if not superior, to tbat of which it had been deprived,"
meaning, of course, a new Covent Garden theatre, ex.
petted, by that time, to rise from the ashes of the old.
Like Mr, Lumley, Mr. Gye makes no promise of absolute
novelty in the production of operas. The nearest approach
to it is an Italian version of Aubei's Fra Diavolo, "with
entirely new reeitatives, and additional poetry and music-,
written expressly for the Royal Italian Opera by Scribe and
Auber themselves. Several revivals are promised ; Herold's
Zampa, Cimarosa's Malrimonio Segreto, Mozart's Nozze ell
Figaro, end Mercadante's Giuramento. The promise of
the Matrimonio Seyreto is especially, welcome : it is the
finest comic opera in existence ; and it says little for the
state of the musical stage that a piece which within our
memory used to be performed to crowded bouses sTciy
season should now ba included in a list of revivals. To
see Lablache once more in the most genial of all his
impersonations—the kind hearted deaf old' toerchant-11
something to look forward to. Of course we are to
have the Traviata, with Madame Bosio as the frail
heroine, a part in which she has had immense sticcesZ
during last f aleaasston year'set
company St. Petersburg.
will re
wi Allaptpheear : principal
members Grist,
Bosio, Marai, Didiee, Mario, Tamberlik, Ronconi,
Graziano., Toeliafico, Polonini, Zelger, and Formes. There
will also be Lablache (after two years' absence) and Gar-
doni. Mdlle. Victoire Balf (the daughter of our
popular composer) is to make her first appearance on
the stage. Great expectations are entertained of the
debut of this young lady, whose gifts of nature bate
been cultivated by a thorough musical education
under her father's eare. Another novelty is Mademoiselle
Eufrosyne Parepa, a young singer who has lately gained a
high continental reputation. She is related to a well known
English musical family, and when on a visit to this country
a few years ago, though then a mere child, she surprised
and delighted all who met her in society by her attrac-
tive qualities and aptitude for the musical stags. She
is now, it appears, a charmiug comedian and an
accomplished singer. For the ballet we are to have out
old favourites, Cerito and Plunkett, and several other
names are enumerated, all females; male dancers, it
would seem, are going out of fashion. Costa, of course,
is the musical director. Mr. Snaythson is the chorus
master, and Signor Maggioni the poet. Mr. A. Harris is
stage manager, Mr: W. Beverley scene painter, and Mr.
Alfred Mellon leader of the ballet. The subscription will
be for forty nights, commencing on the 14th of April.
This is the substance of Mr. Gye's arrangements for the
opera. But another very important circumstance is to be
added—the re-engagement at the Lyceum of Madame
Ristori, with her Italian dramatic company. She is to
give fifteen performances, commencing in the first week
in June. .
The Sunday Times announces the death, on Thursday,
of Tom Barry, the well known clown. His widow, late
Mrs. Campbell, of the City of London, Theatre, is left
totally destitute

THE ELECTION RIOT

AT KIDDERAILVSTER.

In our impression of yesterday we briefly alluded to a
riot which broke out at Kidderminster on Saturday, during
the polling of the friends of the candidates, the Right Hon.
Robert L Ivve, the late member, and the Conservative can-
didate, Mr William B )ycott, a local solicitor. We now
supply our readers with a full account of this most disgrace-
ful affair.

Mr. Boycott has behaved for some time very liberally
to the poor, and is a favourite with the poorer classes and
non-electors. During the past week the " roughs" have
evinced their sympathy for the Tory sand Bate in several
unpleasant instances, and these notes of their humour on
the day of election broke out into outrages disgraceful
even to Kidderminster, although that town has been long
notorious for blackguard proceedings at times of election.
On Saturday last, the polling day, the electors were
allowed to exercise their privilege in a comparatively
quiet manner up to two o'clock in the afternoon,
nothing beyond a little senseless groaning transpiring at
-el her of the polling booths. The various carpet
mills close on Saturday at two o'clock ; and
shortly after that hour the liberated work men
hastened towards the south polling booth, situate on
Blakeway green, and by about three o'clock there could not
have been less than five or six thousand'rnan and women of
the lower orders assembled upon this large open space. This
vast congregation of Boycots's supporters soon dispersed the
respectable persons who had attended at the booth during the
morning, and scenes ensued of the most abominable and
barbarous character. Every one who was thought to be in
favour of Mr. Lowe was hissed, groaned at, and vilely treated.
Forty special constables, and one or two regular policemen
under the superintendence of the chief constable, Mr. Merre:
field, contrived to preserve a space for voters to pass through
the crowd to the booth ; hut, whenever an elector gave in his
suffrage for Mr. Lowe, the mob assailed bins with groans and
execrations, spat upon him, kicked and cuffed him, and sub-
jected him to the most dastardly ill-usage. Tee cars in the
serve of the unpopular candidate, were atoned and broken,
hut those of Boycott were allowed to pass along unharmed.
Mr. Lowe remained in the South booth from one o'clock
in the day until after the closing of the poll ; and Mr. Boys
eott visited the place occasionally, amid the uproarious
cheers of his unprincipled admirers. Between three and four
o'clock, when the mob ascertained that their man was
likely to lose, stones were hurled into the booth at intervals,
and Mr. James Holmes, Mr. James Pardoc, and Mr. George
Hooman, friends of Mr. Lowe, were wounded by the missiles.
On the close of the poll at four o'clock, Mr. Joseph Kateley,
the mayor, announced the numbers of votes recorded ; this
assurance of Mr. Boycott's defeat scorned greatly to exasperate
the 'nob, and several senseless and malicious individuals were
observed inciting the people to attack the right honourable
'gentleman and his friends who had triumphed. Stones were
thrown into the booth; loud imprecations were uttered
tgairist Mr. Lowe rind Mr. James Pardee, and numerous
scampish Tory adherents prepared themselves with manifest
premeditation to attack Mr. Lowe and his strerters. Loud
calls were made for Mr. Boycott to " come out and let us kill
the b-s ;" and, with a desire to quell the rising fury of
the multitude, Mr. Boycott and one of his friends, Mr. Best,
mounted the hustings, and requested the people quietly to
disperse. The ruffians did not heed the advice given, and
throw a volley of stones into the ixtoth, injuring most of those
inside it. Hereupon eelw;, Boycott and his friends retired, and
proceeded tow"..ries the town, the mob making way for them
and them as they past. Their departure was a
,meal for the cowards surrounding the booth, for instantly
missiles of every description, stones, brekbats, pailings, and
even penny pieces wets thrown at Mr. Lowe and his friends,
accompanied by oaths of the most fearful and death
threatening character. Mr. Superintendent Merrefield,
by direction of the mayor, then proceeded to form his
policemen, and Mr. Lowe, with Air. James Pardon, and
A4'Unit-nes. and ethers walked up the lane preserved
ePar by the special conslatees. sly tura tore... Lee nee.
member got in front of the mob, although stoned all the
way, and waited with the mayor for a few moments
while the constables formed themselves into an escort.
B fore Mr. Merrefield's men could arrange themselves in
order, showers of missiles, positively darkening the air,
literally rained upon the already much injured persons
of Mr. Lowe, his supporters, and the officers. Mr.
lowa was bleeding severely from a wound in the head ; nearly
every person around bins was cut on the face and skull ; hats
flew about as the murderous stones and brickbats struck
heavily against heads. Under these circumstances, flight
became necessary, and the right lion. member and his friends
hurried away towards Mr. Shepherd's school, some 300
yards distant, hotly pursued by the infuriated mob, who
stoned them with revolting brutality as they ran along.
Luckily, the pursued gentlemen gained refuge in Mr. Shep-
herd's house, which stands hack from the road, and is pro_
tectcd by high iron gates and a seven feet wall. The
mob endeavoured to force an entrance into the place, and
tried to wrench the locks off the gates; the attempts were
unsuccessful, but they did considerable damage. Hundreds
prowled about the spot for several hours, swearing that they
would kill both Mr. Lowe and Mr. Pardee, and it is pretty
certain ' that they would have carried oat their murderous
intent had an opportunity offered. Mr. Lowe was so seriously
injured and weakened from loss of blood, which bad satu-
rated his hair and run down. his back, that it was found
necessary to secure the services of Mr. Stretton, surgeon,
forthwith. The mob allowed the medical man to pass through
them into the house, and directed him to inform his patient
that they were determined " to do for for him" before he left
" Kiddy." Mr, Stretton discovered that Mr. Lowe had sus-
tained a fracture of the right parietal bone of the skull, in
addition to a lacerated scalp wound, and two sevi re contusions
on the side of the head, and some dozen or two of bruises on
oilier parts of his body. Mr. Pardoe was injured in the loin,
and had suffered contusions on the head, arm, and body. Mr.
Holmes received an incised wound on the scalp, from which
blood flowed freely. Before the surgeon had
attended to the gentlemen named, Police constable
Jukes was carried into the hone in a state of insensi-
bility, covered with blood. The poor fellow had been
Struck nearly all over with stones, one missile had
fractured two bones of his nose in a frightful manner, arid
another had caused a large lacerated wound of the skull. It
appears that part of the mob, on being foiled from further
injuring their higher victims, commenced stoning, beating,
and kicking the policemen. They very soon scattered the
"specials," every one of whom exhibits marks of the fray ;
and it is almost miraculous that Mr. Merrefield, and Iris nine
regular officers (all there are in the town) escaped compara-
tively unhurt, notwithstanding that they were struck repeatedly
on their heads and bodies with stones. Having pelted the
4` custodians of the law," as long as they pleased, and
imagining that Mr. Lowe had escaped from Mr. Shep-
herd's by the back way to the Albert Inn, in Bewdly
s-reet, kept by Mr. Potter, the excited mobility made
their way to that locality, and smashed every window in
front of the building. Mr. Merrefield, and what few of
his men were not disabled, made a bold stand against the
crowd while they were committing this outrage ;
but, of course, seven or eight individuals were powerless
against huudreds. The maddened throng then defiled
into the town, amusing themselves by the way
with occasionally smashing windows, insulting every well.
dresied person they met, and lustily yelling " Boycott for
ever." For several hours hundreds of the populace paraded
the thoroughfares, shouting and screaming, and numerous
parties employed themselves in an old Kidderminster practice
of " blocking up shops." This " blocking" consisted of crowds
congregating around tradesmen's premises, fat e:bly turning
out customers making purchases, preventing persons entering
the shop who were desirous of doing so, and orally abusing the
shopkeeper. Tradesmen who had voted for Mr. Lowe
were only subjected to this nuisance. In order to vary the
entertainment, the throng also engaged themselves in
pulling down the shutters of establishments kept by unpopular
persons, and in bonneting all who dared to remonstrate
with them. About twelve o'clock symptoms of a row were
manifested by the mob collected in High street, the prepara-
tory tokens of hostility being the breakage of windows in the
Lion hotel. At this juncture, however, the clatter of arms
and.kot.ses hoofs announced the arrival of a troop of fifty hussars
from Birmingham, which had been telegraphed for shortly
alter four o'clock ; and the frar of cold steel had quickly a
`quieting effect upon the rioters. The Mayor and magistracy,
who had been sitting en permanance made their appearance
under the protection of the military, and his Worship at once
read the riot act. Orders were given to clear the streets, and
the soldiers and the police effected this operation in the course
of two hours. The Hussats remained on duty until tour
o'clock in the morning, and will stay in the town for one or two
days. The police managed to apprehend four of the ruffians
,ertgaged in the riot ; and will summon before the magistrates
a number of the local mobocracy who aro known to have taken
an active part in the melee. Mr. Lowe was removed from
Kidderminster between ten and eleven o'clock at night ; but
in what manner and where to is is cot advisable to state. In
addition to the gentlemen we have named, Mr. Green, tax
collector, Dr. Roland, and Mr: Stockdale, of tire Swan Inn,
have been wounded. Hundreds of the people w rent and
bruised about the head and face, for when the rice -Vas at its
height the weltering mob attacked both friend and to e.