The Sun.
London, England, 1824-08-20 00:00:00

CAl.lOOll.l' MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

The Musical Festival, which is held trienu
niAlty in the city of Salisbury, under the direction of M.
coo FE, commenced on Wednesday. The principal names of
performers included Madame Catalani, Mrs. Salmon, Miss
George, Messrs. Said° Rolle, Bellamy, Harrington, Hawes,
&c. with a select band, under the leading of Cramer. The
performances occupy
.three days, during which three•fielections
of Sacred Music are given in the mornings at the Cathedral, and
as many Miscellaneous Concerts in the Assembly ,Rooms at.
night. On Wednesday, morning the City presented, a scene of 1
atispicious bustle, and the equigages of almost all the Nobility
and leading Gentry of the neighbourhood had come in by eleven,.
o'clock, the hour at which the Sacred Concert was to begin.
The performance opened with a part of theDailiven 7'e Deem,
time solemn grandeur of which, was remarkably striking as a.
first piece, and with the sounds of the instruments and voices,
multiplied as they were by the space of this magnificent struc-
ture. The first Solo, " Deeper mid deeper still," was given by
Mr. Sapio hi his finest manner. The pathos with which he exe-
cute* the Air is rarely to be eqatilled, and seldom, indeed, can
it be surpassed. 'The approaching debut of .this admirable
Singer upon the London stage may certainly be .considered as:
highly advantageous to the progress of our dramatic music.—'
Mrs. Salmon sang ".Farewell ye.limpid springs," with much
of her own peculiar beauty, but alma has not yet been in her
best voice. Catalani gave her favourite Air from Guglielini,
4,‘ Grades whims tibi" with great effect. She was in the full
possession of her inimitable power, and exercised it with the
finest feeling. A delightful duet by Wenn, beginning "Te
ergo quienumus," was sung in the second part by Sapio and
.11Irs. Salmon. It was charmingly performed, and it-is a com-
position of infinite beauty. Catalani then gave ." Angels
ever-bright and fair," but, as we have before had occeisitm so
observer although we are compelled to admire the feeling and
expressive style in which she sings this exquisite melody, the
ornament which she introduces in not in the same school of
taste, and rather disturbs than assists the matchless effect of its
Sore simplicity. Some selections from Haydn followed, and
apio was remarkably lumpy in the air " In native worth."
In the third part, Mr. Rolle gave a fine song from Atlialia,
withmuch talent. This Gentleman is not known in London,
but he possesses a well merited reputation at peformances of
this description in the 'West of England. His voice is a bass
of considerable depth, and his style is well formed upon the
severe rules of church singing. Catalani sang Luther's Hymn
with all that splendid effect 'which has rendered it one of her
most frequent and familiar exertions. Mrs. Salmon likewise
maintained her acknowledged superiority in the brilliant air,
" From mighty -King)L" The Coronation Anthem watt done
with great spirit as the finale. The attendance was far more nu-
merous than it has usually been on a first day,and the proportion
of ladies to the other sex was at least as live to one. The evening
Concert was crowded, but the room is so bad, that all the finest ef-
fects of sound, instrumental as well as vocal, are entirely lost.—
Even Catalani's voice was quenched by its anti-euplionoun
proportion:trend we heard Lindley's violoncello for the first time
with disappointment. We must do the audience the justice
to say, that they appeared fully aware of the utter unworthiness
of the place, mid received the spoiled performances as ?coldly as
they well could. We cannot conceive how one -stone of such a
building is allowed to stand for such a purpose, in a ty justly
celeVateil for its musical taste, and holding triennial Alusical
Festivals. The singers, we have already mentioned, used every
laudable exertion, but It was impossible that good;Concert
could be produced. The most effective thing of the night Ivan
the inimitable trio, " Crude lode,'" by Cataltud, Sapid, and
Miss George.