The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-17 00:00:00

HERR SPRENGER'S MORNING CONCERT

This accomplished pianist gave a grand morning
concert at the Hanover-square Roems yesterday
with very great success. The programme included
several instrumental pieces from the old masters, in-
terspersed with a brilliant selection of vocal music.
Madame Lemmens Sherrington displayed her fine
soprano voice and extraordinary execution in several
pieces, but more especially in some variations from
" Les Diamants de la Couronne" in which she was
loudly applauded. Mlle. Elvina Behrens, Madame
Louisa Vinning, and Madame Shepherd Ley were
also among the singers. Mr. Allan Irving was un-
fortunately prevented by illness from attending, but
Herr Reichardt was in full force and was very well
received. He sang a new song of his own composi-
tion, entitled " Love's Request," and an aria by
Mozart,as well as taking part in a trio with Madame
Sherrington, and Mlle. Elvira Behrens, which was
very effectively given. Herr Sprenger performed
several times with great ability. A Fantasia on
some of the beautiful airs in Lucia di Limmermoor
especially delighted the audience. A grand duet
for Concertina and Piano played by Signor Regondi
and Herr Sprenger, composed by Benedict and
David, was one of the best played pieces in the
concert. The performances concluded with Beet-
hoven's celebrated sonata in A flat, which a large
proportion of the audience lingered to listen to. The
rooms were crowded with a fashionable assembly,
who appeared highly gratified with the concert.

Amateur Theatricals at the Queen's Concert

Rooms.

On Monday last a brilliant and densely crowded audience
assembled at the charming little theatre, appropriately called
the "Bijou," to witness a performance by amateurs, distin-
guished not only for their histrionic talents, but for their
rank and influence, and, better still, for their readiness (on
all occasions) to promote the great cause of charity. The
object on the evening of the 15th inst. was one which, what-
ever one's political bias may be, must enlist the sympathy
and support of all humane breasts. It was in aid of " The
Ladies' Polish Relief Fund for the Sick and Wounded"--
that so much talent, worth, and beauty exerted themselves
as heartily on Monday evening as any professional artistes
ever did for fame and fortune. The pieces selected on this
occasion were " A Sheep in Wolf's Clothing," "A Rough
Diamond," and "A Peal of Belles," a little comedietta (or
rather monodrama), written by the fair and accomplished
lessee, Miss Barker. The principal part in the first piece,
namely, that of Ann Carew, was sustained, and admirably
sustained too, by Miss Barker herself. She played
this very trying part (requiring, as it does, so much
energy, and yet so much delicacy, such intense feeling,
and such living grace with) a tact and tenderness that won
all hearts. Mr. Palgrave Simpson as Jasper Carew dis-
played very great power. He is guilty here and
there of a little exaggeration, but on the whole it would be
difficult to find even among professional artists a better im-
personation of this interesting character. His " get up"
was admirable. Mr. Maitland did all that could be done
for the ungrateful part of Colonel Kirke. He (looked the
character to perfection, was admirably dressed, and played
with considerable spirit and humour. Kester, the page,
found an excellent interpreter in Sir Charles Young; his
get up was artistic, and so was his acting. Keziah Maple-
toft was very prettily played by Mrs. Baddeley, who looked
very arch and lovely in the picturesque costume of a wait-
ing-maid of the period. Mr. Marshall had in Lord Church-
hill a smaller part than so good an actor deserved, but he
made it important by the way in which he played it. His
costume was brilliant and effective in the extreme. This
piece was warmly applauded throughout, and at the closer
the audience were so enthusiastic that the curtain
rose in recognition of the applause. In "A Rougb.
Diamond" Lady Anne Shevson was deservedly the
great attraction. An aristocratic audience is not
generally demonstrative—the higher we get (some
cynical people think) the colder the atmosphere,
in more senses than one—but- her ladyship's Mar-
gery warmed all present into enthusiasm. She
played this difficult part with a humour, a naivete, and
a grace quite irresistible. Every point told, and the Lan-
cashire clog dance, one of the greatest attractions of the
evening, excited considerable applause, and was loudly even
enthusiastically encored. Mr. Lorer threw a good deal of
solemn dignity into Lord Plato, and Lord Raynham im-
parted considerable interest to the character of Captain Blen-
heim. The part of Cousin Jce (a part which the inimitable
Buckatone has immortalised) was to have been filled by the
Hon. R. O'Grady, but fell at a short notice to Mr. Bowles'
share : he acquitted himself creditably. Mr. Joy played
Sir William Evergreen with considerable humour, and Miss
Barker (though in a part quite out of her line) played with
grace and ease, and looked very elegant. All did well ; but
Lady Anne Sherson, as Margery, achieved a triumph and
excited an enthusiasm which defy description. Miss Barker's
" Peal of Belles" (though, as we have said, almost a mono-
drama) was a complete success. Like "Patter versus
Clatter," it depends entirely on the volubility of the chief
character, Mrs. Vane Chatterton (Miss Barker), who played
throughout with unflagging spirit, and presented a very
brilliant appearance as a fashionable belle, while Sir William
Ward Oldboys was played with humour and spirit by Mr.

Palgrave Simpson, Mrs. Baddeley was very charming
and natural as Rose Thornly, Mrs. Hobson making a pretty
and piquant Sophy Sefton.

REPRESENTATION OF BERWICK TJPON-TWEED.---
In consequence of the death of Captain Gordon, M.P.,
a vacancy occurs in the representation of Berwick-upon-
Tweed.
THE AYR BURGHS.—A requisition is in course of
signature here to-day (Monday), requesting Mr. Alexander
Oswald, of Auchincruive, to come forwatd as a candidate
for the representation in Parliament of the Ayr Burghs, in
room of Mr. E. H. J. Crauturd, who contemplates, on an
early day, accepting the stewardship of the Chiltern Hun-
dreds. Other gen:lerneu are named as candidatf.s to fill
the vacancy, but until matters are better matured it would
be impolitic to mention narne's.—Glasgow ale?,