The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-09-10 00:00:00

YORKSHIRE MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

BY EXPRESS.
Yone, SEPT. 8, 1025.
A stranger entering this city at present, and not aware that
preparations were in progress for a 'grand musical festival," ern,
other novelty which was expectd to attract crowds of fashionable.,
would at once set it down as the cleanest, neatest, and gayest place
imaginable. It is generally known that the houses are, if modem,
mostly built of brisk, and the more ancient once of wooden frame
work, plastered over the outside as well as the inside. 'abs irate
ments, doors, &c. of both sorts have been all
.painted (externally
at least), apparently within the last fortnight, in the highest bats,
and also such parts of the front walls as, from the circurnstane.ee
already mentioned, presented a smooth surface for the bra*. The
upholsterers have likewise been put in requisition, and
the windows every where hung with muslin, chintz, or rm.
Teen draperies, festooned with superlative gracefulness,..
Nor have the pride and muscle of the servant-maids beea
unexcited to bring the objects of their solicimde fete cleanly keep.
ing with the rest of the dwellings. The most brilliant part of the
spectacle, however, is the display in the shops. The first glace
must always suffice to inform a traveller that York is not a place
of wholesale, but of retail traffic, where the greater part of each
citizen's stock in trade is exhibited to the street. The miroitneel
of our shopkeepers in this art is now exemplified to the highest
perfection ; for in passing along the principal avenues one would
conclude that the " wealth of Ormus and of Ind,' the most exqui.
site, natural, and manufactured productions of the earth, were
stowed together in the city of York. The treasures of some fairy
palace seem exposed for sale, and the wardrobes of all the
harems in Ala tamed out to be aired. In Stonegate the re.
nity is only equalled by the splendour of the wares in the mil.
liners' and the jewellers', the tailors' and the mercers' show roans.
Cycloinetry and felt-making have been allied, to produce opera
hats of the true Parisian curve, ranges of which, with glitter.
ing loops, attract the eye on every side. But the rows of
turbans, caps, frills, fancy bonnets, &c. &c., raised on a fort-
ground of artificial flowers, which line the streets, bid defiance to
description. One only wonders for the moment who are to west
so many fine things, scarcely a visiter having yet arrival : and the
city,eliesugh sprinkled with a few genteel loungers, evincing nothing
of the crowding and bustle generally indicative of the eve of a
frest and fashionable assemblage. There are indeed some tad
orebodings respecting the success of the approaching testiest. The
number of persons who have already taken apartments is said to be
compuotively few, and certainly scarce a house is to be seen with-
out a 'Aging bill in the window. Until Monday next, however,
nothing extensive can be known upon this subject, as, from the ha.
bitual end reputed Milner. of York, people never think of coming
here till the last minute. Tile only distinguished character that has
arrived is Incledon, who was a passenger in one of this evening's
coaches. On Saturday many are expected, and on Monday the
Duke of Leeds, Earl of Harewood, and some other Noblemen. The
Duke of Devonshire, Lord Morpeth, and the other immediate car..
flexions of the late Earl of Carlisle, will be prevented by his recent
death ; a circumstance much and jestly deplored by the Managers
of the Festival. They anticipate nevertheless that the higher &trees
from all parts of the country will flock hither, and thus more than
compensate for the seeming indifference which, it must be confessed,
a few individuals in the neighbourhood of York have hitherto
shown to the success of the undertaking. It is confidently asserted
too and believed, that several persons from the Continent, including
some of censequence, are to grace the Festival with their presence,
as the steam packet between Rotterdam and Hull affords desirable
facility for the Germans to gratify their love of music on this ems.
*ion. At present very few articles sell at enhanced prices, amide:
the Festival many probably may be obtained on reduced terms.
The preparations in the 3liester are in a state of great forward.
nese, but the descriptions of them which have hitherto appeared do
not perhaps convey the most correct idea of the arrangement. The
only part of that magnificent pile appropriated for the festival is the
great nave from the western portal to the screen at the entrance into
the choir, together with the sideaisles to the same extent. The cr.
chestra is erected in the space formed by the arches which support
the tower, and of course faces the west. It presents a concave heat
to the nave; the centre to be occupied by the instrumental per-
formers, and the wings, which recede something on either side, by
the chorus singers. The openings from the orchestra into the
transepts have been boarded up to a considerable height, to prevent
the injurious separation of the sound, and will be painted a light
stone-colour to correspond with the Minster.
Much of the effect of this noble structure has been destroyed by
the manner in which the nave and aide isles are disposed to acme
modate the company. As you enter at the west door, the wbok
view of the interior is cut off by an immense gallery which her
been raised agalnat thre end of the building to face the orchestra e
the other extremity. After advancing some paces, two flights a
stairs branch off right and left and communicate with a long ins•
sage, which opens into the centre and near the top of the pfiera
before mentioned. Other parts of the company, instead of tuners
up those stairs, proceed a httle farther onward still, Wood a fee
steps, and reach another opening among the lower benches e: dr
gallery. In advance of this opening, and in front of the gallery, b
a projecting semi hexagonal space, called the royal box, but tisirg
nothing majestic whatever in its aspect. The pillory is case
dered capable of containing two thousand persons--the Lodes
being 33 In number, running the entire width of the Mister. Ties
have wooden hacks, which, as well as the seats, are ovoid ri:D
crimson cloth. The workmanship seems massive and secure. h.z
the former impression on entering the Cathedral is destroyed. (b
either side areother galleries to correspond, which fill the full braelo
of the aisles, and project a short way in advance of the dusters rf
pillars. The floor of the nave is provided with benches, like thee
noticed above, and resembles the pit of the King's or the ether Isril
theatres. The floors of the aisles steals° occu piedby seats, which, hoe
ever, run longitudinally, and at right angles to those of themes
At the last Festival there were no galleries; and although shut
erection now affords room for a much larger audience, it is growl
complained that the plan looks too much like a playhouse, =dal;
the sublimity of the effect must be injured in proportion. T..
charges for admission to the several benches described, are fares
guinea to is. each. Some persons say that the transepts, whgb
sr
totally shut out from the body of the Minatnii, will be let at it. e3c.
person, for standing and hearing room.
Of the new Concert.room, which has been lately built, and w.lll.1
.
adjoins and communicates with the old Ausembly!room, archi:;l
need be said but that it is a very elegant apartment, judicitnell,
tastefully arranged, and fitted up for the purpose to which ilia°.
tined. It has cost 60411.

The expenses of the present Festival, including the abort
are estimated at 17,0001. The principal vocal performers do't',
,
to receive upwards of 2,10 W. Among the engagements, wlisch
to swell this large amount, are the following :
Mile. Garcia
_ i33s

Madame Caradori

Braham

Miss Stephens
Miss Wilkinson
Pe Pegnis

- -
Sapio ' - - . . - 15: v . t 0 l'
Vaughan - . . - I
The lowest chorus singer receives four guineas, and the .00.6'
from that up to twelve guineas; and thus, as the band constso 0:
about 900 performers more than on the last occasion, the esPo`r.
on that score only, are estimated at 2,0001. additional. Talc rv-
by
cipal singers absorb of this extra charge about 500/.
De Degnis is prevented
here, and none of the others have yet arrived. .1;1
Persons are now admitted to see the Minster and Conce,l4°°,„;
paying lid. each, the receipts from which must be monsider"'"v,
The Committee of Management du not seem, in f,ome mss. ,
Ito act for the benefit of the Festival. They have said hitherto irt
even the Conductors shall not have a single 14111611i011 fa I! rj.
or friend, and an application having been made to them fue1,011;
for the York Newspapcns, a few days ago, they refused 1° eileht
1 To-morrow will decide whetlia the Loudon press is to hell .
in the same manner. indisposition from cort:ift

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