The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-20 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

The second ',grand classical and miscellaneous concert
was given yesterday. The programme was excellent,
and consisted of a selection from the best works of the
great masters. The vocal and instrumental resources
of the establishment are so affluent that any attempt to
furnish forth a similar combination at a concert under-
taken ,by individual speculation would be as impossible
as the remuneration would be doubtful. Concerts simi-
lar to those that have taken place during the week can-
not but hasten the downward progress of the Philhar-
monic. Indeed that institution has already lost much of
its former prestige, and this decadence is not at all sur-
prising when we reflect that, in lieu of being, as it should
be, from the price demanded for admission, perfect in all
respects, scarcely in one concert out of eight but some
failure takes place, owing to the absence of the common
foresight and lack of judgment. All the novelties pre-
sented during the present season have been by common
consent pronounced mistakes. Independently of
the toujours perch ix of the instrumental portion, the
selection of the vocal music has been unworthy of the
absurdly lofty pretensions of the society. Time was
when the great symphonies could only be heard at the
Hanover-square Rooms; but these same works may be
now heard performed by the picked instrumentalists of
the Philharmonic orchestra for a shilling at M. Jullien's
promenades. The Philharmonic will, ere long, be classed
with the things which have been.
Beethoven's grand symphony in D was performed yes-
terday with an excellence seldom equalled, and we much
doubt if ever surpassed. Balfe indulged in no eccentri-
cities, the tempi were accurate, all the nuances legiti-
mately observed, and the rendering of the last movement
was characterised by a grace and crispness perfectly
charming. The first part of the concert was exclusively
devoted to the chief pieces in Donizetti's opera La
Favourite. The overture was played with exceeding
brilliancy. The lovely aria, " Une vergine," was charm-
ingly sung by Gardoni—it was this aria which, on his
danit on the Anglo-Italian stage, won him a universal
popularity. The duetto, "E fia ver," was given with
fine effect by the same vocalist and Bouck4; and the
well-known " Vien Leonora" was superbly interpreted
by Coletti. Mdlle. Vera and Gardoni, in the duetto,
"Ah I mio bene," were exceedingly effective. The finale
to the second act of the opera closed the first part. In
the second part, Coletti repeated " Liete voci," in which
ho was so eminently successful at the concertion Monday.
Mdle. Schwartz also repeated Alercadante's aria, " Ah,
'se estinto ;" her splendid voice has entirely recovered its
resonance, and flowed forth yesterday richly and clearly.
Her cadences were accomplished with justness and
facility, and the result was the most enthusiastic applause.
Mdlle. Cruvelli sang the grand scena from Der Frei-
schuts with amazing power and dramatic intensity.
She proved herself,: by her interpretation of this scene,
equally mistress of all dramatic styles,',from,Weber and
Rossini down to Verdi. The two great bassi, Lablache
and Coletti, gave Rossini's admirable duetto, "D' un
bell' uso," with infinite spirit and humour.
Thalberg performed Beethoven's concerto in E flat
in a manner to defy all rivalry. He has silenced, for
ever and aye, the doubt which had existed of his mastery
over the harmonic mysteries of Beethoven. To hi,
wonderful facility and brilliant tone, which were freely
admitted, he has new superadded the certainty of being
one of the most refined and reverential illustrators of
Beethoven. The concerto was charmingly accompanied.
Besides this, he executed a duo with M. Hermann
(violin) on subjects from Sonnambula, with remarkable
brilliancy. M. Hermann has a delicate, rather than a
rich tone; his execution is facile, and his bowing fret
and firm; his arpeggio passages are distinct, and his
cantabile unexaggerated and instinct with healthy feel-
ing. The duetto was deservedly applauded. We left
at the conclusion of the second act.