The Sun.
London, England, 1849-08-31 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL MUSICAL FESTIVAL,

another grand miscellaneous concert, comprising
nearly ell the first vocal and instrumental ta:ent en-
gaged for the series. On this occasion the HAI IN,:S
more fully attended than hit:lerto, the galleries being
very well filled, though not crowded. The boxes and
stalls presented a very gay aspect. The fear with
respect to the safety of the building seems to has e
passed away ; and many of those who early disposed
of their tickets, under the influence of that apprehen-
sion, now regret their premature timidity. As we
observed yesterday, the committee seem to have
pitched their note a little too high with respect to the
charges for admission to those parts of the building
which are not appropriated as private property to sub-
scribers. Public opinion, in a place so distracted and.
disturbed by class animosities as Liverpool, is not of
much value on such a question as this. It is
easy to charge the directors of the entertainment
with exclusiveness, but it is very doubtful if
the classes who grumble at high charges would
have had the public spirit to sustain the institution,
had it been opened at low prices. In a place like
Liverpool, a permanent musical entertainment of this
kind must be sustained by the wealthy; and if they
choose to purchase boxes and stalls, at a high price, in
order to further the objects in view, no other persons
have any right to complain. In the allusion made to
the subject yesterday, there was no intention of echo-
ing the sinister complaints of discontented persons, or
of attaching any imputation of exclusiveness to the
management ; because here these petty squabbles are
eternally going on, whatever may be the immediate
occasion seized upon for them. It is still a question,
however, whether, as a mere matter of policy, the
committee would not have done better—that is to say,
have made more money—had they opened the gal-
leries at a lower charge, upon the same principle that
prevails at the Opera House in London, where the
charge for the stalls and boxes is, in proportion, three
or four times as great as the charge to the gallery.
But these gentlemen have made all their other arrange-
ments so well, that we are content to suppose it was
not until after due consideration they resolved on
adopting the high tariff.
The concert of last night was on the whole most
satisfactory, though not presenting any features of
novelty requiring especial notice. The pieces per-
formed are, in the main, necessarily familiar to all
concert-goers, and they have been over and over again
noticed when sung by the same artists during the
past season. Among the great pieces were the
quintet from the Cenerentola, " Signora un parole,"
sung by Alboni, Bartolini, Polonini, Tagliafico, and
Lablache ; and the trio from the Matrinionia Segreto,
" Le faccio un inchino," sung by Grisi, Corbari, and
Alboni ; the septet from the Huguenots, " De dritti
miei," by Mario, Bartolini, Tagliafico, Polonini, Ben-
son, Formes, and Lablache ; and Belle's pretty ter-
zetto from Falstaff, sung by Corbari, Jetty de
Treffz, and L. Corbari. These were all admirably
given by the artists and warmly applauded. In more
than one case an encore was insisted on. Grisi and
Alboni sang the celebrated duet in the Semiramide;
" Serbami ognor," and Grisi and Mario were enthu-
siastically encored in the duet from the Donna del
Lago " Scendi nel piccolo." Alboni, besides taking
part in some of the foregoing concerted pieces, sang
the rondo and aria which form the finale to the
Cenerentola, a piece of elaborate and highly-finished
vocalization which has obtained a world-wide repu-
tation. The Liverpool audience showed their taste by
the more than ordinary enthusiasm with which they
received this brilliant triumph of vocal skill. Grisi also
sang in her best style the aria from Verdi's Lombardi,
"In cielo benedetto ;" but almost any other selection
would have been preferable. Madame Viardot Garcia
gave her scena from the Prophete, " 0 fero mio des-
tino ;" and, with Miss Hayes, the duet in the first act
of the same opera, " Della Mosa." Of Miss Cather-
ine Hayes it is right to say that she more than sus-
tained the impression created by her on the previous
day. She has advanced rapidly in the good graces of
her audience. The programme announced that she
would sing Alice's beautiful air in Roberto it Dia-
volo, " Quando lasciai la Normandie." Frequenters
of the Covent Garden opera will remember that when
the Roberto was produced there during the last season
its comparative failure was mainly attributable to the
substitution of Madame Dorus Gras in the part of
Alice, for Miss Hayes ; that young lady having been
taken suddenly ill, with relaxed sore throat, to such
an extent as to render it impossible for her to sing.
A postponement of the opera for one night would
have been enough ; but the direction determined
it otherwise ; and Madame Dorus Gras, the original
representative of the part in Paris, was called
on to resume it, with what result is well
known. Miss Catherine Hayes is singularly
fitted for that peculiar part—which depends so much
on the contrast of the innocence and beauty of Alice,
with the licentious and demoniacal influences sur-
rounding her—not merely by her personal beauty,
but also by the character of her voice and singing. It
was most unfortunate for this lady that she
was thus summarily unhorsed from what
would have been her cheval de bataille for
the season. Some adverse fate again operated
to prevent her singing this, the characteristic
air of Alice, last night. A notice was circulated that
she would sing the " Caste Diva" instead. It was, in
some respects, fortunate for her reputation that she
did so, for she achieved a complete triumph. Her
defect is physical only. Her voice has, at times, great
power, but it is not capable of being sufficiently pro-
longed to command the confidence necessary for the
bravura. On the other hand, her voice is singularly
sweet, thrilling, and capable of delicate shading and
refinement. In the slight nuances of expression
Miss Hayes excels. Her execution of the " Casta
Diva" was in every respect faultless : it displayed
the finished musician in every phase. Miss Hayes was
enthusiastically applauded. One of the most perfect
things in the whole concert was Mario's " Il mio te-
soro." When encored, he substituted the serenade
from Don Pasquale ; and the audience would fain
have had that also repeated. Jetty Treffz, of course,
was highly successful with her favourite " Liebchen
wo bist du ?" and Lablache (who is already, as he is
everywhere, the prime favourite of this audience) sang,
besides what had been set down for him in the pro-
gramme his comical tarantella, "La Danza," and with
laughter.
Williams,
Tagliafico the buffo duet " Se fiato in corpo," amidst
roars
wWheo sangmust ouneetofemthiteirtechmaermetiinogn
the
duets.

Not the least interesting feature of this concert was
the instrumental portion. Great interest was felt to
hear the " Pastoral Symphony" from this band. Con-
sidering the enormous difficulties attending the per-
formance of such a work, the result was highly satis-
factory. An occasional loudness marred some of the
effects, but the great ideas and leading features were
admirably conveyed. It is only to be regretted that
in the metropolis and the great towns it should not be
possible to mainiain a permanent orchestra for the
performance of these grand instrumental works at
prices rendering them accessible to the middle classes.
We hope to hear them yet, and in first-rate style, in
Exeter-hall, at concert prices. Ernst's Rondo Papa-
geno gave great delight ; and Bottesini, by his won-
derful tours de force on the violoncello, by which he
turns it into a gigantic violin, took the audience by
storm ; so much so that they would have an encore,
although the labour of handling the giant instrument
so as to produce such effects is an Herculean task.
The chorus distinguished itself in two compositions
from Weber's Preciosa, and the concert concluded
with Weber's Jubilee overture.
" THE MESSIAH "—Tam MORNING.

This morning was devoted to the performance of
Handers Messiah, an entertainment which drew a
crowded Hall, although the rain fell in a " Scotch
mist." The vocalists announced were Miss Hayes,
Viardot Garcia, Mr. Sims Reeves, the Misses Wil-
liams, Mr. Benson, Mr. Whitworth, and Carl Formes.
Mr. Machin was substituted for Mr. Whitworth ;
and Madame Viardot being unable, from indisposi•
tion, to appear, the air she was to have sung was given
by Miss M. Williams. After having said that the
band aud chorus were equal to the complicated diffi-
culties of the Elijah, it is almost unnecessry to add
that they performed admirably their portions of the
Messiah. The performance as a whole was in the
highest degree creditable to the whole of the artists,
vocal and instrumental. The principal vocalists have
so often appeared in the same oratorio, that it is un-
necessary to particularise their several excellences.
Miss Hayes renewed the highly favourable impression
of her capacity to deal with sacred music, produced
by her singing in the Elijah.
To-morrow the Stabat Mater of Rossini and the
Lauda Sion of Mendelssohn will be given, with a
selection. This performance will close the series, and
in the evening there will be a grand fancy ball.

We are happy to (see, by our advertising columns,
that Mr. R. Rouse, the much respected proprietor ot
the late White Conduit House Tavern, and noted caterer
for the public, has taken the Belvidere Tavern, Penton-
vile, where he intends providing dinners on his former
extensive and liberal scale, and wish him every success,
and that all his old friends may rally round him.
ISLINGTON CATTLE MARKET COMPANY.—We
have been given to understand, from very good autho-
rity, that many of the advocates of the Smithfield
Market nuisance, in the persons of the butchers and
salesmen, are already coming forward, and impercep-
tibly taking up large numbers of the shares in this
company.
NEW LAWS.—By Acts passed during the last Ses- '
sion of Parliament, the administration ot criminal and
penal laws were revised and amended in respect to Ire-
land, as were done in the previous session fur England
and Scotland. These are most important changes and
great improvements upon the former laws.
GLASGOW.—ROYAL PATRONAGE OF PAISLEY
MANUFACTURERS.—We are glad to announce that
Messrs. J. and R. Roxburgh, manufacturers, Paisley,
have again had the honour of submitting to the Queen,
at Balmoral, their new patterns and fabrics of long wool
shawls, from which her Majesty has been graciously
pleased to select several specimens.—Glasgow Pally