The Sun.
London, England, 1836-09-16 00:00:00

MANCHESTER FESTIVAL.

MANCIIESTER, WEDNESDAY.—The selection for this morn-
ing at the Collegiate Church opened with Handel's overture
and dead March to " Saul," which was finely performed by
the band. Mrs. H. R. Bishop followed, and gave Handel's
air " From mighty Kings" with correct intonation, and neat
and musician-like execution. Mr. Braham then sung " Deeper
and deeper still," from " Jeptha," and Madame Caradori Al-
lan " Farewell ye limpid streams," from the same oratorio.
They were both highly successful in their exertions. After
Haydn's quartet " Tu di grasia," from " Die Worte des Erlo-
sem am Kreuze," had been finely executed by Mrs. H. R.
Bishop, Terrail, Bennett, and Lablache, Madame Malibran ap-
peared, and gave Pergolesi's song in admirable style, although
she was evidently labouring under severe indisposition. Mr.
Bennett sang " Gen le airs" chastely, and the accompaniment
of the veteran Lindley was of course not to be surpassed.
Some gleanings from the oratorio of " Solomon" were next
in order, and excited the most profound sensation. The
magnificent chorus of" Your hearts and cymbals sound" was
succeeded by " What though I trace," sweetly sung by Mrs.
W. Knyvett. Then came the glorious chorus " From the
censer curling rise." It was most effectively performed. The
precision and energy of the choral singers cannot be too highly
praised. The pieces forming the judgment of Solomon were
entrusted to Mrs. A. Shaw, Mrs. H. R. Bishop, Braham,
and Machin. A novelty of an interesting character was next
in the scheme, namely, the first performance in this country. of
Spohr's Cantata, " The Christian's Prayer," the words being
translated from the German of A. Mahlmann, by Mr. E.
Taylor. The Cantata closed the second part, and the third
began with Chevalier Neukomm's chorus of " 0, clap your
hands," from the 47th Psalm, the rapid transitions in which we
could never understand. The gem of the morning, however,
was the exquisite singing of Malibran and Miss Clara
Novello in Marcello's " Qual anelante." Their voices
blended beautifully together, and the rapid divisions which
they took alternately were finished specimens of vocalization.
An encore was immediately requested from the patron's gal-
lery, but Malibran was too ill to comply with the demand;
but, near the conclusion of the performance, the two vocalists
again went through their task, to the unbounded satisfaction of
the company. A selection from Handel's Israel in Egypt ter-
minated this day's programme. The choruses were given
with a proper appreciation of their grandeur and simplicity.
Malibran's solo was a tremendous effort against sinking nature,
for by this time her indisposition had much increased. She,
nevertheless, filled the vast building with an astonishing vo-
lume of sound, and her intonation, under all the circumstances,
was really surprisingly correct. The attendance was more nu-
merous than that of yesterday. Lord and Lady Wilton, with
a large party, were again present, as also the Duke of Bruns-
wick, Lord C. Thymic, Lord Blayney, Mr. Egerton, Mr.
Trafford, &c. There were upwards of three thou sand per-
sons in the church.
THURSDAY MORNING, FOUR O'CLOCK, a.m.--The concert
last night at the Theatre Royal was better attended even than
on the preceding evening.
Our time will, but allow us to give a hurried notice of the
concert ; but it will afford the lovers of the histrionic as well
as musical world the most painful distress when we announce,
that Malibran's indisposition has assumed a most alarming
aspect. We write this with her shrieks and groans resound-
ing in our ears, for they can be heard distinctly through the
hotel. She sang in the quartet from Fidelio, and acquiesced
in the encore for the duet with Caradori Allan. In this last
piece her exertions were prodigious, taking a fearful shake at
the top of her voice with her customary daring enthusiasm.
The storm of cheering which followed the stupendous essay
was still unabated when the unfortunate idol of an enraptured
audience, who but a moment before was lighted up with fire
and animation, sank in an exhausted state under the effect of
her excitement. Medical aid was resorted to, and she was
bled in the green-room, and, after the performance was over,
was removed in a chair to the Moseley Arms Hotel, where she
is staying. We have little to add of the concert. It went off
well, save in the eases we have alluded to.
FIVE o'cLorK, A.l4.—Malibran is somewhat better. Her
attack is spasmodic. The chances of her singing again at the
festival are very doubtful. This event will throw a great damp
over the proceedings.

RECENT ARRIVALS AT 1.31.1XT0N.—.-The Bishop
of Killaloe, Lord Crewe, Lady Sherbrooke, Mrs. Sherbrooke,
and Colonel Coape, Lord Teignmouth, Lord Gillies, Lord
Blaney, Lady Milbank, and Miss H. S. Milbank, Sir William
and Lady Boothby and family, Sir Benjamia Brodie, Lieut.-
Col. and Mrs. Henry Colville, Rev. Mr. Townley, Dr., Mrs.,
Mises IL v. Mr. Miss Lee, Rev. Mr.
and Miss Brookes, Rev. J. G. Robbards, Rev. Dr. Rock,
Captain and Mrs. Stirling, Mrs. and Miss Mere.