The Sun.
London, England, 1838-09-13 00:00:00

GLOUCESTER MUSIC MEETING

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
In speaking of the forthcoming Festival, the Gloucester
Journal of Saturday makes the following remarks :
" It is with the greatest pleasure we announce that every
day gives fairer promise of a brilliant meeting, and we are sure
that the splendid attendance which we hope to see gathered
together in our city will not depart with the slightest tincture
of disappointment. Nothing can exceed the spirit and anxiety
which have been evinced to ensure the gratification of every
visitor at this Festival. The accommodatory arrangements,
both for the Cathedral and Concerts, have been the subject of
incessant care and forethought, and will be found unexcep-
tionable ; while the scheme of performances presents a collec-
tion of everything grand and enchanting in musical science,
beyond which hardly anything is to be desired. The ballot
for secured seats took place on Wednesday last, and went off
much better than was anticipated. The grand rehearsal took
place on Monday, and by the kindness of Mr. Amott (the ,
conductor) we were favoured with an admission, and judging
from the general precision of the pieces selected, we antici-
pate a rich mu-ieal treat. The orchestra has been since the
last Festival considerably augmented. The band, consisting
of P.OO performers, are chiefly selected from the Philharmonic
Concerts. The choral band, upwards of 200 performers, are
from the Ancient Concerts, the Choral Societies of Birming-
ham, Liverpool, &c. No doubt a great increase of expense,
but which, ae doubt not, will be rewarded by an increase of
liberality from its supporters."
FIRST MORNING, TUESDAY.—The performances commenced
with the " Overture to Esther," which was given most admir-
ably, though we thought the last movement a little too quick.
This was followed by the " Dettengen To Deum," which in-
troduced the veteran Braham, who gave the verse " When
thou tookest upon thee" very chastely." Phillips opened the
subject " Thou art the King of Glory" beautifully, his voice
being perfectly in tune, and he appears in good condition ge-
nerally. The duet " Here shall soft Charity repair," with
Hobbs, seemed to want decision; it was not sung in a style
at all calculated to exhibit the character of the piece. Bra-
ham appears to feel the infirmities of age, although no corn-
plaint can be made of -the style in which he gave the piece;
the delivery of the words " the fatherless, and they that have
none to help them," being strikingly beautiful, yet his voice
was deficient of that clear round tone which used to charac-
terize it, some of the notes being forced, and not exactly in
tune. The concerted music was very sweetly managed by
Mrs. Knyvett, Messrs. Knyvett, Hobbs, and Phillips but in
the alto solos Knyvett was deficient, his voice wanting volume
and firmness; nevertheless, these defects were scarcely per-
ceptible, as he sung in tune and very sweetly. The choruses
" We praise thee," " Te thee, Cherubim," and " 0 Lord, in
thee," were good, as was also Knyvett's " Coronation An-
them." The sermon was eloquently preached by the Ven.
Archdeacon Weatherell. We are sorry to state that the Ca-
thedral was very scantily attended, the chancel not being more
than one-third full.