The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-01 00:00:00

VOCAL ASSOCIATION, Sl'. JAMES'S
HALL.

We frankly confess that we have a deep-seated
and primitive affection for old English music, espe-
cially in its form of glees, madrigals, and part songs.
Our reverential homage for Handel, Beethoven,
Mozart, and Bach, our earnest appreciation of
Rossini, Auber, Weber, and Bellini ; and the
cordial admiration which we are ever ready to
bestow on our contemporary composers, are
fully equalled by the glow of delight
which pervades our spirit while listening to the
works of a Purcell, Hummel', Webbe, Horsley,
or Calcott. Wu love the rich quaintness and fami-
liar simplicity which mark " The Miller of
Tetbury" and " The Vicar of Bray." The melli-
fluous wailings of the bye-gone " Strephon's" and
" Delia,'s" have quite as much influence on our
auricular nerves and tender sensibilities, as the
florid outpourings of our modern " Edgardo's" and
" Norma's" ; and the strains which take us back
to the time of village greens, flowery maypoles,
blythe lads and lassies, chintz-robed Lady Bounti-
ful's, and "Fiue Old English Gentlemen," are ever
dear and welcome to our national prejudice.
The concerts given by the Vocal Association
always afford us a rare treat, for they invariably
give us the opportunity of hearing some of the
choicest specimens of this school rendered with the
utmost care and skill. The concert last evening was
the third of the season, and presented a most
attractive programme. With M. Benedict as
Conductar, precision and energy may be insured ;
and he evidently spares neither time nor pains
in the "getting up" of these entertainments.
The opening piece was Mendelssohn's Ottetto for
eight stringed instruments, very efficiently per-
formed ; but the great enjoyment of the evening
depended on the exquisite glees and part songs ;
the Concertaute for' two pianofortes by Messrs.
Benedict and Lindsay Sloper ; and a performance
on the violin by Mdlle. Gabriel° von Wendheim.
Elliott's glee, " Come see what Pleasures," was
well given ; and Webbe's celebrated composition,
"When Winds blow soft," was executed with a deli-
cacy, expression, and perfection of harmony, which
charmed the audience. The chorus at the conclud-
ing burst was kept we'l together, and did ample
justice to one of Webbe's best works. "Ossian's
Hymn to the Sun" was equally well interpreted,
and Bishop's " Sleep, Gentle Lady," was a rich-
morsel of melody. " Tell me my Heart" was sung
by Miss Messent, with the sweetness and power
usually displayed by this talented young lady, and
met with a warm recognition, as did, also, a couple
of Italian " Arias" sung admirably by Madile.
Finoli. The playing of Messrs. Benedict and Sloper
needs no eulogy, and the selection of one of Kalk-
brenner's " Themes" was most judicious, as it pos-
sessed all the qualifications of first-class music, with-
out being elaborately heavy, or tediously lengthy.
The andante movement was very effective. Madlle.
von Wendheim is new to us, but her astonishing
mastery over the violin will soon place her in a
conspicuous place among musical artistes. She
plays with considerable power of execution and
delicacy of tone, and gave some complex
passages cf great difficulty, from a composition
of Ernst's, which evoked rapturous applause
and the honour of a recall. A new Irish
ballad, by Balfe, did not strike us as being
anything extraordinary, and Madame Castellan
was not so perfect in her intonation as we could
have wished ; but, with these two exceptions, the
whole concert was highly gratifying. Especial
mention may be made of the principal part singers
—Miss Marion Moss, Mr. Foster, Mr. Monteni
Smith, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Winn. Such a band
of glee singers will not be easily rivalled. We are
glad to observe that the inconsiderate and vulgar
fashion of encoring every other song is receiving a
wholesome correction ; and that sensible audiences,
like that of last evening, can evince a thorough and
just appreciation of the pleasure they receive, with-
out levying a cruel extortion on those who afford
the pleasure. The Hall was crowded, and the
general arrangements of a ♦ery satisfactory cha-
racter.