The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-03-26 00:00:00

MASTER C. ASPULL'S CONCERT.

It was natural to expect that a concert given by so exert-
ordinary a child as this, and given too under the especial
patronage of his Majesty, would he thronged to exec,. ; and
never, to be sure, did public cariosity seem to be snorer
, strongly excited, nor do wo know of any instance in
which it could have been more amply repaid. Young
Ab Pll I L is such a prodigy in the inusi,sl world as Lever
yet appeared. It is impossible to give an adequate de-
scription of his power over the instrument, as displayed in
his performance of Mosehalle's grand variations on the
" Full of I's'is ;" the most rapid end scientific passages
were given in that bold and inaiterly style of execution,
which the most veteran performer, of the lrighest eminence,
could not have excelled. The ht.st criterion by which to
judgkof any perform ante is the enthusiasm of attention and
feelong which it creates in the auditors. The adirdratioo
which he excited was mingled with astonishment. Those
whose expectations were the most highly raised evinced
that the result had exceeded their higher anticipations.
The execution was not only brilliant 'from its rapidity,
but was at Ovre tasteful and impressive; it was the exc-.
non of a masfer-hand, to whom Nature, in a prodigal
I moment, had given all that felicity of conception which
others attain,—when they do attain it, which is very rare,—
'by years of intense study, and by practice without end.
:I he Duette), " Se fiuto is Ablpo aerie," by Signor De
Bennis and Signor Peaces, was neither well selected nor
well sung ; it was out of place, and appeared to be neither
felt nor understood. The Aria, " I,orgo al.liu-lotunz," by
the same Signor Di. Boa Nis. was equally inappropriate; in
1 the " ilarlper of Seville" it is well introduced, because it
1, as consistent with what goes before and after it ; but in a
concert, and at the Argyll Rooms, it was without any
association, and its effect was worse than lost. We would
entreat this SIGNOR, when performing in these Rooms, to
get rid of that vulgar leer to which he so frequently
addicts himself in the course of his singing : his counte-
nance has nothing in it indicative of comic humour, and by
his attempt at it, lie throws a something of lascivious
buffoonery into) ir, which is extremely offensive' .and
which he would do well in futura to avoid. Wiser, hi
is on stage let him look as his part may reqUire, but
when in a concert-room, let him at least eamrosor tq
look—like a gentleman. Miss Sr Eris ENs sang a Home,
sweet home." IVe hardly ever heard her sing ill, but we
I have certainly heard her sing much better. She, however,
!gave the aid of her performance in consequence of Madame
('aradori's sodden indisposition, and we know of no one to
whose kindness the public in such ease are more indebted.
Mr. CII ATT E RTO W played so/an/ruin on the harp with great
! skill; but this instrument, though pretty, is powerless;
and we suspect that those who seem enraptured with it af-
, feet snore delight than they feel. It is an instrument,
moreover, that is fit only for a lady: it thews off a grace-
ful tfigure and attitude to advantage ; and therefore it is
that the harp' when played by a beautiful female, is sure
to pleaseL-' becsuse you may look upon the one when you
are tired of listening to the other. Mrs. Ssison, who
sings every thing well, sang " Though from thee I new de,
part," an air arranged by Finesses from Le petit rainbow-4
but her delicious tones were thrown away upon it ; the
passages were admirably executed, but they were like
so much pre/ruling, and were nothing beyond the ex,
ecution. There was nothing in it of melody, nor of
expression, without which no song can give real or
lasting pleasure. We rank it among the many airs which
we have heard before, and never wish to hear again,
except from Mrs. Sa "lost whose voice alone is aFways.
worth hearing. We know of none, ou the stage or off,
that hat greater clearness and volume, which . are the
essential qualititsof a good tone ; it has, besides, the rare
excellence of being always well modulated through the
whole of its compass. Miss Paton, as usual, came jil
late, and sang "Lo! here the gentle lark," but site sang it
beautifully. Miss Stephens also, towards the close of the
second part, wasted her lovely voice upon a song entitles!
" Should be upbraid," a second edition, by Mr. Bishop, at
his " Bid me discourse,' which we had before beard till
we were tired of it. Mr. Begres and Mr. Hawes halt
sang well, but Mr. Hawes the best of the two. The vacs
of Signor de Begnia is too coarse for a room, and is
totally deficient in all the finer qualities of punt!,
In a Concert-room the voices require to be hetes
selected than in a Cathedral or in lluotilll
the former, if a tone is harsh, it meets the ear before sto
roughness is softened down; while in the latter, it ;mug
tempered by the medium through which it has passed
The principle of the humorous Scotch peasant was right
enough, when ridicules! for his bad psalm-singingi-s-41 It's
a far gate atween here and heaven : a music sounds well
i' the distance," But when the voice is going upon a less
distant errand, it requires modulation; and Signor de
Begnis cannot too von attend to this truth; at present he
appears to have no notion of it.
Chia Concert, from its very full and fashionable attend...,
anee, must have been extrinpely encouraging to young
Aspull. His Majesty, we understand, transmitted a very
handsome donation.