The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-02-07 00:00:00

ROYAL ACADI, MY OF MUSIC.

The first monthly concert of this Institution for the }war
was performed at their Concert Room, in Tenterden-street,
Hanover-square, on Saturday last, and was attendee) by his
Grace the l)uke of Devonshire, Lod Barchersh, Sir An-

drew Barnard, Sir George Clerk, and a considerable nitin-
ber of the fowl ton, subscribers to the Institution. The bill

of far.c was as

PART I.—Sinfonia in ft, first Movement (fieethoren)—Qaar-
tem', .Mistes F. larinnni, Waison Spagooletii. and A. hari,l.
•i Oda mi. !al) iro" (Rossini)—;:oncerio, Violin, T. Mawkes.
(31arirdtr)—Coro (accompanied by e'ght harps), •'arpe

tr.:mance' Burgin 749.
PART 2.—Ukttitwristic Overture, M.S. (C. Lucas. pupil of
Dr. Crineh)—'Pun. Misses liellchantbera, Watson, and A. Sapio
(harp obligato. 3liss " Colpita da Gamine" (brad Burg-
'tenth) Variationt, Pitt °forte (with nrcheatral accompani-
ments). W. 11. Phipps (Moscheles)—A ria, A. Saints, .• Ciel
pietosu" (Linelpainter)—Overture, Prometheus ( Reetloweto.
Weilluven s Sinfonia in D was led by Mister S,ymotir
with great correctness, and way performed throughout with
consid rahle precision anti effect. Rossini's Quartetto
Cielo it mio labbro," was delightfully snug by Miss

Watson, daughter of Mr. IVatston, composer 'hi) Covent-
Garden, Miss F. Marimmi, Mr. E. Spagnoletti, son of
ane leader at the Italian Opera, and Mr. A. Sapio, brother
of the singer of the same name at Drury-lane. " A Con-
certo of Mayseder's, by T. Mawkes" (pupil of Mr. Spag-
noletti), on the violin, was a delightful effbrt in so young a
performer ; he bids fair to be a first-rate ; his intonation,
power, and expression, are astonishing. Lord Burghersh's •
chorus, with an auompaniment for ii!gbt harps, and the
trio, " Colpita da fulinine," are from his Lordship's
Operas of " Erode Lancastro" and " Fedra," and
are the same pieces that were p.a•formed in the Oratorio at
the Opera House on Monday last. On this occasion the
effect of the harps in the chorus was very pleasing, while
at the Opera House it was wholly ineffective. We cannot
but consider that their introduction at the King's Theatre
was a most ill-judged measure, at lewd when they were
described as to be played by pupils of the lltoyal Academy.
The audience naturally expected to hear some display of
talent and ability ; but unfortunately they were wofully
disappointed, for he harps were not heard at all, except
a
•n
arpeggio of one or two bars, at other times they
were completely overpowered by the other instruments.
Public criticism said on that occasion, and said truly, that

if that was the best display the Academy could make, they
had i!ctttr have allowed their pupils to remain at home. •
But it was not the best display they could have made;
there were at that moment boys playing in that hand who
would have deliglited and astonished the audience in a
concerto, either on the violin, violoncello, oboe, or piano-
torte; as well as your: ladies, pupils of Mr. Moscheles, at
home, who could have done the same. IVe must repeat,
that the mentioning of these harps as to be played by
students of the Royal Academy was most injudicious; if
such an announcement was to be made, it should have

..... _
been in pious calculated for the purpose, and not in a
chorus as described. .

Lord Burghersh's powers as a composer are of the
first-rate order, and it is most gratifying to see so distin-
guished a Nobleman exerting himself, and the abilities
with which he is so highly favoured, in the promotion of
this delightful science, on principles of the purest taste.
Ilia Lordship's long residence at the Court of Florence has
no doubt given him great facilities, and has enabled him
to hear the best music ; and his attempt, as well as that of
the Noblemen and Gentlemen with whom he is associated,
to improve our taste, and to give to the world native ta-
lent capable of instructing us on the first principles of the
art, deserve the thanks not only of admirers of this
sublime and pleasing science, but of the public at large.
The" Characteristic Overture," the composition of Charles
Lucas, is the second that young gentleman has composed
since he has been in the Academy ; he is pupil to Dr.
Crotch for harmony and composition, studies the violon-
cello under Mr. Lindley, and partakes very largely of his
master's style and execution. We cannot refrain from no-
ticing a circumstance that occurred at the King's Theatre
on Monday last, in order to clear up a point in which the
audience were much perplexed: Mr. Lindley had been ad-
vertise(' in the earlier bills of the performance to play a
concerto on the violoncello; this was omitted in the bills
of the day, but the public hail a recollection that they bad
seen such an announcement, and Mr. Lindley was loudly
called for; a Mr. somebody came forward to apologise, but
could not make himself intelligible; at last Mr. Sinclair
announced that Mr. Lindley had had the misfortune
to break his double Lass ; this occasioned much laughter
and disturbance—the audience, we suppose, considering it
no very good reason that Mr. L. should not play a concerto
on the violoncello bee.l4ll4e4t accident h ippened to hie double
bass. The fact was, and %lithink the public ought to know
it, that Mr. Lindley had been advertised in the early bills
of the King's Theatre; shortly afterwards his son's name
appeared to play a concerto, on the same night, on the
violoncello, at Covent-garden; Mr. Lindley then desired
that his name might be withdrawn, as he could not con-
sent to appear the rime night with his son, fearing that it
might be thought that they were playing in opposition to
each other. If this delicacy on the part of Mr. Lindley had
been known to the public, we feel assured his statement
of the fact would have disarmed all hostility. This di-
gression had almost led us to forget Mr. C. Lucas's
" Characteristic Overture." We confess we could not
apply the title of the subject to any thing within the scope
of our recollection. On inquiry, however, we were in-
formed that he had originally adapted it for some scenic
representation—very likely a French Ballet—if so, it did
not, perhaps, do our judgment very great discredit in not
bring able to adapt it, most of those of late days possessing
little either of plot or interest. I'utting its title out of the
question, the Overture received general and deserved ap-
plause. W. H. Phipps (pupil of Mr. Potter) played a
delightful air and variations of Moscheles. In touch, power,
and expression, this young gentleman, we think, stands
unrivalled. The performances concluded with the " Over-
ture to Prometheus,- the execution of which would have
done credit to mare veteran performers.
The next Concert is fixed for the I Ith of March, at
the Hanover-rooms, by permission of the Noble Directors
of the Ancient Concerts.