The Sun.
London, England, 1849-09-17 00:00:00

HEREFORD MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

HEREFORD, FRIDAY.—To-day is the closing day
of the festival, and, judging from the appearance of
the streets, it promises to be the best mDrning of the
series.

The performance of sacred music at the cathedral
yesterday consisted of a selection from the works of
our best masters, including portions of Spohr's
oratorio Calvary, Beethoven's Service in C, with
Rossini's Stabat Mater, and a few other pieces. The
performances were opened with the introductory
movement and symphony from Haydn's Seven Last
Words, a work at first, we believe, consisting of
instrumental pieces only, but which was afterwards,
on words being adapted to it, placed among the
oratorios. The selection from Calvary followed.
This is an oratorio more for professed musicians than
the general public, who regard it as being ponderous
and unattractive. This may account for its rare in-
troduction at musical festivals ; nowhere has it created
any very great interest, except at Norwich. The first
recitative and solo, " Though all thy friends," was
assigned to Madame Castellan, who gave to it its
true devotional and pathetic character ; and the '
chorus was well sustained. The air, by Miss. A. Wil-
liams, " When this scene or trouble closes," was de-
lightfully accompanied by Mesrs. 11. Blagrove
(violin), Platt (horn), Lindley (violoncello), and
DJVe (pianoforte). After the Calvary selection, the
fine chorale from St. Paid was given as adapted by
Mendelssohn from Sebastian Bach. The " Hallelu•
jah ;" in the chorale was beautifully given, and the
piece was encored. Mr. Sims Reeves then appeared
for the first time at the morning performances at this
festival, and admirably sang the air, " Sound an
alarm," from Judas illaccabaus, with the introdutury
recitative. The chorus, "We hear, we hear," was
given by the band and voices with exquisite perfec-

iion. After the full chorus " Ar.d follow the con-
quest," the sudden pianissimo movement, " If to fall,"
and the sudden crescendo told with beautiful effect.
Then came the great feature of the dav' for such it
will ever be in the hands of such a finished musician
as Madame Caitellan. This was the lovely air from the
Creation, which has formed the theme of so much
praise from every critic. 'What can we say of its inter-
pretation by the prima- donna, except that it was per-
fect ? It was the most finished performance, perhaps,
both by the singer and the band, that has ever been
heard within the walls of the three Cathedrals since
the days of the lamented litalibran, The whole was

rendered with a delicacy and artless simplicity which
no form of words can describe. It is almost need!ess
to add that a repeat was immediately called for, and
instead of wearying, the second performance, if pos-
sible, afforded more gratification than the first. The
remaining pieces of the first part, besides the service,
were the air from St. Paul, "Be thou faithful untc
death," by Mr. Lockey, with Lindh,y's violoncello
obligato; the chorus in Jeptha, " When his loud
voice ;"' and the choruses, " The heavens are telling"
(Creation), and " Father, we adore thee," from
Judah. The last named chorus was a beautiful per-
formance ; the fugue, " Glorify his name," was
cleverly taken up by the voices, and in the con-
cluding passages the string instruments were very
effective. During the performance of Beethoven's
Service the whole of the company present, following
the example of the Lord Bishop, remained standing.
An interval of fifteen minutes was permitted before
the Stabat Mater was commenced. We are told that
this is the first time it has been performed at these
festivals, it having been rejected at one of the Wor-
cester festivals as unfitting for a cathedral. It is, in
fact, an entirely operatic composition, and more fitted
for adaptation to secular words. On the whole it was
well performed. Mr. Sims Reeves was, perhaps,
rather too clamorous in his solo, " Lord vouchsafe thy
loving kindness." The Misses Williams sang the
duet, "Power eternal! Judge and Father," very
sweetly. In the curious chorus and recitative, by
Mr. Phillips, "Thou hest tried," the solo parts were
given in perfect good taste, and the chorus was very
ably managed. The quartet, " Hear us, Lord," by
the Misses Williams, Mr. Sims Reeves, and Mr.
Phillips, was exquisitely given; its difficulties had
evidently been carefully studied and mastered. It
was encored The collection for the charity amounted
to 1401.

Last night's concert at the Shire Hall (the last
evening concert of the festival) was a bumper. Every
part of the fine and spacious hall was crowded with
the elegantly-attired belles of Herefordshire and their
beaux, including some of the first families in the
county. Lord Somers and his family were among
the visitors, both in the evening and at the cathedral
in the morning. Upwards of 500 persons were in the
concert room—the largest number, we believe, ever
brought together at any of the festival concerts given
at llereford. The concert opened with a selection
from Weber's opera of Euryanthe, for which an En-
glishtival bvye r
Ms orn.
Ballad been
,rh
ee xgprraensy
ds o v writtenert
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fsecfetly"
rendered by the band, ani indeed the whole of the
selection was most satisfactorily gone through. The
charming air, " Flowers of the valley," was exquisitely
given by Madame Castellan, and the glorious march
and chorus, " Hail, ye heroes !" was given with
the utmost precision and effect. Reeves was greatly
admired in the air, " Soft airs," and the cavatina,
" Where the Loire's bright waves meander." Miss
Poole's song, " 'Tis May," was a very pretty piece, to
which she did full justice. This young lady's talent
for music of a light and airy character are of no mean
order. The wedding march in Mendelssohn's over-
ture to Midsummer Night's Dream was magnificent.
Pity it was not appreciated by the audience. Some
of them appeared, however, too eager to get through
the concert in order to partake of the social amuse-
ments of the ball which followed. In the second part
of the concert Miss A. Williami's song, "A bird sat
on the greenwood spray," was encored. Sims Reeves
was splendid in his scena from La Sonnambula, he
was rapturously encored. Knyvett's glee, " The
midges' dance," by the Misses Williams and Messrs.
Hobbs and Phillips, was also encored. Poillips was
himself again in " Lascia amore," and Madame Cas-
cellar) enchanted the audience in " 0 lace di quest'
anima," which was vociferously encored.
The ball after the concert was fully attended.

MINING INTELLIGENCE.
(From the Mining Journal.)
A fair proportion of business has been done in the
mining shire market this week, and we still find
sellers holding out for advanced prices, which, from
the improved position of the metal market, may be
deemed reasonable. Copper has advanced, and we
anticipate further improvement, as also in both lead
and tin. The leading mines still command some
considerable notice, especially among those who are
at a loss where to invest surplus capital ; and from
the great improvement in the mining interest gene-
rally, there is little doubt of this becoming the most
favourable of speculative property for investments.
South Basset, Trelawny, North Pool, Stray Park,
and South Tolgus, are among the mines lately repre•
sented to have considerably improved, and business
has been done in each.
In Bwlch Consols we learn a large number of
shares have exchanged hands, and the mine is stated
to be in a very improving condition.
For Mendip Hills we find there are buyers, and
the improved prospect of increased returns from the
smelting department have created an inquiry.
An early dividend being anticipated from Tincroft,
an inquiry is being made for these shares, although
they do not maintain our former quotation.. The
position of the mine is exceedingly gratifying.
In South Wheal Josiah several shares have changed
hands, and the prospects are represented as highly '
encouraging.
At East Buller a most promising lode had been
opened on, and arrangements being made for, the
erection of a steam-engine immediately. A great
many shares have changed hands.
In consequence of the very great improvements,
both in the Old Vitifer and Birch Tor lodes, there
has been an active demand for Birch Tor shares, and,
at an improved price, many shares have changed
hands.
The reports from Tamar Consols this week has been
highly satisfactory, and several transactions have
taken place.
Shares in the following mines have been done during
the week :—Devon Great Consols, North Pool, West
Providence, Treleigh Consols, Stray Peak, Trehane,
Trelawny, South Wheal Frances, Treviskey and
Barrier, Bwlch Consols, East Buller, South Tolgus,
Tincroft, South Wheal Josiah, Tamar Consols, South
Tamar, Mary Ann, West Treasury, West Tolgus,
Birch Tor and Vitifer, Cook's Kitchen, &c.
In foreign mines there has been an active inquiry
for Imperial Brazilian, National Brazilian, Copiapo,
United Mexican, &c. In the former a large number
of shares have changed hands; but the advanced
prices have kept many buyers hesitating. St. John
del Rey and Asturians have also been done.