The Sun.
London, England, 1838-12-13 00:00:00

PROMENADE CONCERTS,

ENGLISH OPERA-HOUSE.

Our readers will probably remember that, about twelve
months ago, M. Pilati, an eminent French professor, attempted
to establish in this metropolis a series of concerts under the
above title, a similar undertaking having attained great po-
pularity in Paris. The speculation, however, chiefly owing
to the extreme inclemency of the weather at the period, and
some other circumstances to which it is unnecessary to ad-
vert, proved a total failure. Aftcr this Herr Strauss
brought over from Vienna to London his admirable quadrille
band, and the complete success that accompanied their
performances sheaved clearly that music exclusively in.
strumental, when exquisitely performed, possesses sufficient
attractions to assemble and delight large auditories, not-
withstanding the alleged fact that the English nation
ranks far behind its continental neighbours in affection for
the "concord of sweet sounds." Influenced by such feelings,
a party of British musicians have determined to make a
further experiment on the sympathies of their country-
men, and last night a most excellent orchestra, comprising
about sixty performers, most of them of first-rate talent,
and members of the Opera, Philharmonic, and other bands,
assembled in the English Opeta-house, and played a variety
of popular pieces. The pit was boarded in on the occasion,
so as to form a promenade, from that situation, round the
orchestra, which was erected on the stage, the latter being
fitted up and inclosed, by portions of scenery appropriate to
the purpose. A shilling was charged for admission, and another
shilling for seats in certain parts of the house. The price,
however, in our opinion, was much too low, and there
ought to have been a distinction in the price, in order to
ensure comfort and respectability of association. The
theatre, we were happy to find, on this first experiment,
was exceedingly well attended, and we make no doubt,
when the public are fully aware how rich a treat is provided
for them, at so small a cost, the number of the audience
will materially increase. Amongst the pieces played
were \Veber's overture to The Ruler (f the Spirits
and Freyschutz, Rossini's Guillaume Tell, and
Harold's Zampa, and various waltzes and quad-
rilles. A fantasia on the trumpet, by Mr. Harper,
was also amongst the evening's attractions. Of course,
after what we have said of the composition of the band, it
is scarcely necessary to add, that the music was beautifully
played ; still there appeared to us a deficiency in that
delicacy and refinement which might have been ex-
pected. Either owing to the large number of per-
formers, or the limited size of the house, or perhaps
the situation of the orchestra, it was much too power-
ful, not to say noisy, and the pianissimos were not
kept under sufficiently to render the distinction of light and
shade as marked and decided as it ought to be. These
blemishes, however, will be got rid of, no doubt, when the
band have been more accustomed to each other. The un-
dertaking will afford employment and remuneration to a
large body of professors of talent, at this dead season of
the year, and extreme gratification to the public, and we
therefore sincerely hope it may be patronised to the extent
it deserves. The performances are to be continued every
evening, with changes announced in the bills of the day.