The Sun.
London, England, 1853-11-11 00:00:00

THE SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY.

The twenty-second season of this society commences
at Exeter-hall, this evening, with a performance of Han-
del's Coronation Anthem, " Zadok the Priest," and Det-
tingen Te Deum, and Mozart's Mass, No. 12—works
which, considaring the time that has elapsed since their
performance, may be regarded as novelties. This will
be the 293 th concert given in the large hall by this so-
ciety.
_ .

For the ensuing season the committee have arranged
to bring forward several works new to the society.
Among those which will receive the earliest attention is
Beethoven's "Grand Mass in D." The success which at-
tended the reproduction of Handel's "Samson," with
the masterly additional accompaniments of Mr. Costa,
has also led the committee to make arrangements for the
early revival of the same composer's "Deborah," a work
which, although containing several of the great master's
grandest choruses, is comparatively but little known. It
is also intended to give a performance of anthems. and
cathedral music on a scale of completness commensurate
with the society's present position.
Several new workshave been brought under the notice
of the committee. Without pledging themselves spe-
cifically, they intend certainly to produce during the
coming season at least one oratorio hitherto unheard
in London. The practice of the society being to
perform in each year the more popular oratorios, it
is precluded from such frequent production of new
works as may be expected from other institutions
soliciting public patronage with the avowed object
of performing music by either exclusively native or
other composers. The committee do not wish to be
thought insensible to the necessity for occasional pro-
duction of new works of a high class, but they also
desire to draw attention to the objects of the founders
of the society, who, in their original prospectus, issued
in November, 1832, stated it to be " their desire to
establish for the society a reputation of being able to
perform the sublime compositions of Handel, and other
eminent composers, with that degree of precision and
effect which their work entitles them to."
The extraordinary fulfilment of this desire must be a
source of pridejto all connected with the society, and as
it still retains among its officers and members those
whose zeal and energy have mainly led to such success-
ful results, it is worth pointing out, as an example of
cordial co-operation among amateurs of music worthy of
being followed by other associations that the honorary
secretary, Mr. Brewer, and the president, Mr. Harrison,
continue to hold the offices they took upon themselves
at the formation of the society, 21 years since.
The concert season, which ended in June, was more
than ordinarily successful, while the amount of subscrip-
tions at present received for the coming year is consid-
erably in advance of any former period.
The general improvement of the society's orchestra
and chorus will receive the earnest attention of the com-
mittee. Satisfied that it can command the services of
the most efficient and zealous portion of the amateurs of
London, such a system of active superintendence will
be enforced as will dispense with the assistance of all
who are unable to give that amount of service which the
increasing knowledge of the public require from every
member of a public orchestra, whether amateur or pro-
fessional. Arrangements have also been entered into
for the weekly occupation of the large hall, for re-
hearsals, by which ample space and opportunity is se-
cured for this important object.
It is only requisite to add that Mr. Costa continues
the conductor, to be assured that all that talent and zeal
can do for the society will certainly be effected in this
respect.
The directors of Exeter Hall have again been strongly
urged to take steps for remedying the present danger-
ous and inconvenient means of entry and egress to and
from the large hall. Plans have been submitted to the
board for the erection of a spacious additional fire-proof
staircase, opening into the minor ball, so that it could
be used as a waiting-room. By the falling in of a lease,
the directors have now the control of a plot of ground
on which this staircase can be built, and as the addi-
tional Antal of the hall furnishes ample funds for the
purpose, it is to be hoped that an improvement so much
needed Will be no longer neglected.
It is, however, urged by some members of the board,
that as their frequent calls for improvement of the
building, mainly proceeds from the (Sacred Harmonic
Society, that body must have some exclusive object to
gain from their accomplishment, and therefore it is in-
expedient to accede to them. In this case, however, as
it cannot be questioned that the improvement sought is
obviously for the general benefit of all occupying or
attending the hall, whether for concerts or for public
meetings, such an attempt at argument is utterly un-
tenable.

In drawing attention to the subject, the society desire
it should be well understood they have used the best
exertions they can to impress upon those who hold con-
trol over the building the urgent need of alteration.
The experience the managers of the society have gained
from conducting nearly .300 of the most crowded and
best regulated meetings that have been held in Exeter
Hall has fully impressed them with a sense of the dan-
ger and extreme discomfort so patiently submitted to
by the public. Should the present opportunity not'be
taken advantage of, upon the directors of Exeter Hall
must rest the responsibility for declining to effect so
requisite and loudly called for an improvement.
Madame Viardot Garcia will sing at the next concert
of the society, on Friday, 25th Nov., sustaining the con-
tralto part of Micah in Handel's " Samson." Those who
had the good fortune to witness the thrilling pathos with
which the song " Weep Israel, weep," from this oratorio,
were given by this lady at the last Birmingham Festival,
and also on its introduction at the last Norwich Festival,
as a tribute of respect to the memory of the late Duke
of Wellington, will receive with pleasure the announeei
anent that the entire part of Micah is to have the advan-
tage of her assistance.—From a Correspondent.