The Sun.
London, England, 1867-10-01 00:00:00

IIIE OXFORD.

Mr. Morton has given another proof of his great
desire to furnish his patrons with the best enter-
tainment by the production of a grand selection
from Felicien David's " Herculaneum." The sub-
ject of the tragic opera, which may be justly declared
" spiritual," is the destruction of the city of Hercu-
laneum, in consequence of the indulgence in luxury
and sinful pleasures of its inhabitants. The Queen,
Olympia, by her beauty, magnificence, and seduc-
tive blandishments, allures Helios, a Christian, from
the purity of his faith, and from the affection of
Lilia, who finds her way into the palace of her rival,
and upbraids him for his apostacy. Magnus, a
Christian prophet, who appears unexpectedly at a
grand fete given by the Queen, entreats her
earnestly to repent, and warns her solemnly
that death and everlasting torment await
her, and her people, upon refusing to do so;
exclaiming, that " Satan has gone forth, and will
claim his victims." Olympia, Nicanor the Pro
Consul, and her attendants, however, deride and
laugh at him. Subsequently Helios, struck with
remorse, implores pardon of Heaven, and of Lilia;
who, assured of his contrition, forgives him, and
expecting from appalling appearances the awful
catastrophe they devoutly prepare for death. Satan,
who then appears disguised as Nicanor, reveals
himself to the horror-stricken Queen, and the
condemned city, with all its inhabitants, are over-
whelmed by the fiery lava which issues from Mount
Vesuvius. The translation has been performed by
Mr. Wall, adapted to the music of Mr. Taylor, and
the solo parts confided to Miss Russell, Miss Rivers,
Mr. Greene, and Mr. Bury. The selection is cer-
tainly one of the finest that has yet been produced
at the Oxford, which has attained so well-deserved
a reputation for the introduction of music altogether
unknown to the great body of the public in the
metropolis. It opens with a fine and spirited bac-
chanalian chorus, and then follows a telling
recitative and aria, " See the revellers," exe-
cuted in the most finished style of Miss Rivers.
Mr. Greene follows with a massive solo, " On, on
through gloom ;" then follows a brilliant duet for
Miss Russell and Mr. Bury, and the whole con-
cludes with a chorus equal to anything that has yet
been performed by any of the ancient or modern
composers. The music, although differing widely
from that which has hitherto been heard at the Oxford,
will find thegreatest favour amongst its habitues, who
form quite a separate class from the usual attendants
at music halls. With regard to the vocal per-
formers, we must award unmeasured praise to
Miss Russell ; she sang with a brilliancy and finish
that produced the most enthusiastic applause, and
fully ratified her claim to an equality of position with
any English vocalist of the present time. Mr. Greene
and Mr. Bury also sing with the greatest care, and
the choruses were given in a manner that calls for
the highest commendation. The selection was ably
conducted by Mr. Jonghmans, and altogether a
better of more gratifying performance it has seldom
been our good fortune to attend. The miscellaneous
entertainments that preceded and followed
the selection were of the best description,
and to justify that assertion we have only to say
they comprised the wonderful performance of
Master Bonnay on the xylophone, that of the
young pianist and violinist, the Masters Sauret ;
the Indian juggler Daugwar, the comi3 effu-
sions of Kate Santley and Mr. Liston, and the
graceful dancing of Mr. and Mrs. Carle. An en-
tertainment of a better description than that now
nightly given at the Oxford is not to be had in the
metropolis.