The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-11-08 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN.

The novelty of last evening was the appearance of
Madame Vestris at this house, for the first time. She sus-
tained the character of Artaxerxes, in Dr. Arne's excellent
opera of that name. The performance of this opera is ever
a musical feast to the lovers of that divine art. The ex-
quisite simplicity of its melody, mixed with its deeply eru-
dite combination, affords a power of attraction both
to the scientific and to the uncultivated ear, beyond
perhaps any other opera on the English, or, we had
almost said, on the Italian stage. The character of
dr taxerus, though by no means the principal or even the
second in the opera, has nevertheless acme very beauti-
ful solos, besides one or two most delightful airs ; all of
which are admirably adapted to the voice of Madame
Vestris, which is a tenor of great force and melody. There
is a deep internal volume of sound in her lower notes, a
richness of intonation, a voluptuousness of cadence, a dove-
like mellowness of tone, that seems, as it were, to echo its
own melody, and repose upon its own sweetness. She
sang—" In infancy our hops and fears" with her usual
taste and science, and gave to that beautiful air the fullest
expression of sentiment. The second time (for of course
she was encored? surpassed the first in power, if not in feel-
ing.
This lady s recitative is always good, though there is
something perhaps like a want of keeping in her action
towards other male characters; but this is the result of
all-powerful nature, who, disguise her as you will, is
triumphant still; and Madame Vestris, though she ploy
the King, cannot forget that she is still a woman. Her
first appearance here has been most decidedly favourable.
She was very cordially received by a crowded audi-
ence, and was warmly applauded throughout the opera.
Miss l'aton sustained the part of Mundane, in a manner
worthy of the high musical talent she possesses. Her
voice improves both in strength and compass, and her sci-
ence and taste arc every way equal to it. She, however,
sang, " If o'er the cruel tyrant, Love," which is an irresist-
ible appeal to the sentiments, and seems in its genuine
simplicity 'above all art, too powerfully and impassioned.
It should be breathed like the very despair of love, and its
notes should fall from her lips " like the liquid drops from
the bending flower." At its close she redeemed this devi-
ation, and her voice tremulously died away as the conflict
of passion expired in her bosom. The quartette by
Mad. Vestris, Miss Paton, Miss Love, and Mr. Pcarman,
seemed like " a congregation of sweet sounds floating in
the air." The voices, harmonized, blended, and inter-
twined with all the fantasy of the most exquisite cunning;
and wrought upon the over-charmed sense an oppressiveness
of delight. It was encored, and would have been a second
time, but that a better taste prevailed; for beautiful as
music is, there is something equally so, and that is—pro-
priety. Madame Vestris afterwards played Maria Darlington
in .4,Rotchild /hr an Oliver, and looked as if she were
formed and fashioned for that captivating character.
The scene between her and Jone 7, where she sings to him
while feigning to be " lunatic," was admirable, and, as is
the fashion, was encored. This is a custom which is be-
coming too prevalent, and will by and by make it a very
equivocal sort of a compliment. If any certain rule could
be laid down in this matter, it would be well, but as it seems
to depentLentirely on the good sense cf the audience,we know
no remedy, and can only caution those performers who are
the object of it not to take it as an unerring criterion of
approbation on the one hand, nor on the other to suppose
the hisses that are occasionally mixed up with it are directed
at them. These observations, perhaps, are somewhat
ill-
timed when speaking of Madame Vestris; but site will
understand us, and that is sufficient.

- • -
Botha is engaged by Ebers to compose the music for
the ballets at the King s Theatre, for the ensuing season.
We are requested to state that a hand-bill, announcing
the engagement of a Mr. Grove, at Drury-lane Theatre, is
without the authority of that establishment.
Ma. MoNTGOMERY.—The public dinner at Sheffield to
this gentleman on his retirement from his labours as a
public writer took place on Friday last, Viscount Milton in
the Chair. One hundred and sixteen persons sat (town to
dinner. The Noble Chairman addressed the meeting in an
animated manner in commendation of their distinguished
guest, and the speech of Mr. Montgomery on his health
being drank, was a master-piece of eloquence. He en-
tered into parts of his own history for the purpose of
stating the difficulties which he had had to encounter, and
naming the friends who had assisted him. On the same
day another dinner of forty persons took place in Sheffield,
as a mark of respect towards the talents, virtues, and
services which have been rendered to the town by Mr.
Montgomery.