The Sun.
London, England, 1824-09-20 00:00:00

WORCESTER MUSIC MEETING.

WORSESTUI, FitILIATI SEPT. 17.—The "first
Oratorio was performed at the Cathedral yesterday, and was
remarkably well attended. Before the performances commenc-
ed, every seat in the choir had become occupied, and mat y of
the company were compelled to stand at the side-doors of the
aisles. The Oratorio was the " Mesiiah ;" and Braliam, of
course, opened it with the most beautiful of all Handel's reci-
tative movements, and, perhaps, the most celebrated of all his
own triumphs. Mrs. Salmon gave, "There were Shepherds,"
and "Rejoice greatly," in her richest tone and most perfect
manner. Miss Stephens was extremely happy in .the sweet air
" But thou didst not leave," and in " I know that my Re-
deemer liveth." Vaughan sang " Thy rebuke" with much
feeling, and the contra
,alto parts were sweetly executed by
Knyvett. Miss Travis and Mr. Bellamy took the other solos.
Upon the manner In which the choruses were done it would be
difficult to bestow too much praise. After the close of he
Oratorio, we-found that the gay assemblage who had paid their
money to get in, must come to the same terms before they
could get out. A certain number of ladies and gentlnion of
distinction, were stationed in most formidable array at the door,
holding each a plate, to PUS which (with the billies at least)and
not matte a deposit, was impossible. We never saw more de-
termined applications. There can bo no mendicitr society in
Worcester. Concert followed at the College Hall. The
attendance was considered thin, although there could not have
been fewer than eight hundred persons present. The selection'
was not only generally varied and relieved, but it contained
the novelty of some old English music. In the first act, Miss
Stephens, Miss Travis, Mr. Bellamy, Mr. Vaughan; and Mr.
Knyvett, performed a portion of Purcell's music in Ms Tem-
pest, which went off remarkably well. Mr. Vaughan swig Dr.
Pcpusch's celebrated cantata, with Lindley's obligate acconi—
paniinent. Nicholson also played a beautiful accompaniment
to Mrs. Salmon's " 0 dolce concento," about which we must
say as little as tiossible. The next piece was Bishop's charm-
ing round, " Yes, 'tis the Indian drum." Rossini 's " Cruda
sorte," having been performed immediately after by. Mrs. Sal-
mon, Miss Stephens, and Mr. Vaughan. Brahma gave hit
beautiful melody " Love's good night," from Dcr Frei:Mart
with rare feeling. The Second Act produced one of
enchanting Concertos. Mist Stephens sang " Sweet Home,"
and Braliam one of his songs in the Merry Wives. Mrs. Sal-
mon ended with Nicolo`e Romance, " Je ne'veui pits chanter."
The finale was the splendid chorus at the end of La Cis-
menzo di Tito.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 18.—The Cathedral filled yestercfay
morning very soon after the opening of the doors. The first
part of the performances consisted of scenes from Judas Mac-
cabteus, and the other two were taken from the works of Mo-
zart, Jomelli, Hayan, Ouglielmi, fonning a selection to
which nothing could be objected, excepting that it might be
something too long. But the admirable style in which the
greater part of it was done even made a five hours' perform-
ance agreeable. We have often thought that an • occasional in:
cidental failure in a great singer operates as a stimulus, and
never more than on hearing Nra. Salmon to-day after her
ants of the previous night. She sang " From mighty Kings"
in a manner which nothing could excel. Her matchless beauty
of tone, and all the best qualities of her style were displayed
throughout 'the song,'so as to excite a murmur of approbation
amongst the audience at its close. which could not be mistaken.
It was understood, and readily complied with by an encore.—
Mrs. Salmon has a few peculiarities in her pronunciation which
she would do well to correct. For instance, in this song she
sings— • "
" From mighty Kings he took the spoil,
" And, with tits axe, made Judah smile."
Braham had to sing " Sound an alarm," immediate!), after
this brilliant triumph, and he teemed inspired with the desire
of rivalling it ; for he never gave that masterPlece of ener-
getic song with more splendid effect. He afterwards sang
" Deeper and deeper," with an equal degree of pathos and ex-
pression. Miss Stephens was not behind in the exertions
of the day. She sang, " Farewell ye limped streams," and
" Let the bright Seraphim," admirably. Some selections from
the '''asset of Jonielli and Mozart, and front the " Requiem"
of the latter, were finely done by the singers we have named,
aided by Messrs. Bellamy, Vaughan, and Knyvett, and
Miss Travis. We are sorry to state, that Mr. Bellamy was
so much indisposed, as not to be able to proceed in one of his
songs. In the evening he was unable to sing the solo Songs set
down for him, but determining not to create further disappoint.
inent, he appeared and took his parts in the concerted pieces.
Ile was received warmly by the audience, and we are happy to
see so marked a tribute of feeling paid to a gentleman whose
conduct before the public has always been that of the utmost
propriety. The College Hall was crowded to excess in the
evening, and as it possessed no means of ventilation, the
heat it became intolerable. The Concert, in point of exe-
cution, was much superior to that of the preceding even-
i,og., Signor and Maclaine de Begnis perforated again, and
toey appeared to be the stars of the night in the favoni of
the audience. They pee two of their comic duetts, which were
both encored, as was Madame Ronzi's " Una voce poco fa,"
from "Il Barbiere." Mrs. Salmon sang "Cease your funning,"
and,
" New Gypsies Glee." desire, Miss Stephens warbled her
with Miss Travis and Bellamy, Welch's charming
beautful ballad " Auld Robin Gray," and sang in several con.
certed pieces. Braham was encored in all his songs—` Smile
again my bonnie 'Jessie," Scots wits has, and his own quartets,
Mild as the Moonbeams." In compliance with a general!
repeat,
" Donald," which she sang so charmingly at the first Concert
Miss Travis had the honour of repeating the balla
t.d
One of' the greatest treats of the night was,a concerto by
Nicholson, in which he introduced' his celebrated variations
upon " O Nanny," and " Jean de Paris." The Concert con•
eluded with " God save the King," the verses of which were
done with great spirit by
Miss Stephens and Madame Renzi
de Begnis.