The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-28 00:00:00

CANTERBURY BALL.

One of the chief features of attraction at Canter-
terbury Hall for some time past has been Verdi's
" Macbeth," two acts of which have been given
nightly, and to the proprietor is due the honour of
having introduced this work to an Englsh public.
Determining to follow up the plan of giving selec-
tions from operas that have not become hackneyed
by frequent representation, Mr. Morton has added
to his programme a selection from Meyerbeer's
"Dinorah," thus affording the frequenters of his
music hall an opportunity of listening to morccaux
from one of the greatest operatic compositions of
modern times. The selection comprises the over-
ture with chorus, the opening chorus of goatherds,
the terzettino, which terminates the first act. '1 he
drinking chorus, " Com' e buono," the Shadow
Song, the Paternoster, Hod's romance, " Sci
vendicata assai," and the finale. The overture,
which is arranged for pianoforte and harmonium,
was played with remarkable precision and consi-
derable expression, although, of course, the effect
which is produced by a full orchestra was wanting ;
nevertheless, the grand suggestive and descriptive
music was given with great effect, and the Hymn
to the Virgin, which occurs in the overture, was ex-
ceedingly well rendered. The characteristic open-
ing chorus was equally well sung ; indeed, the whole
of the choruses in the selection were noticeable for
steadiness and precision, and betrayed, on the part
of every member of the choir, a praiseworthy de-
sire to do justice to the composer's ideas. It might
even be said that this carefulness in some degree
interfered with the dramatic effect—a fault, if fault
it can be called, which will doubtless disappear as
soon as the chorus gets more at home in the
music. The Drinking Chorus was given with
remarkable fire and spirit ; not the slightest wa-
vering or uncertainty was visible, but, on the
contrary, the greatest precision was noticeable.
The Paternoster was also extremely well rendered.
The finale was, however, excellently sung, and
brought the selection to a successful conclusion.
The terzettino by Dinorah, Corentin, and Hoel,
was on the whole satisfactory. Miss Russell, who
was the Dinorah, sang the Shadow Song so well
that it only gave birth to th 9 regret that it was
not better. This young lady has decidedly a good
soprano voice, and its effect is not marred by ner-
vousness ; she attacks the most difficult passages
with the utmost courage. Mr. Tivoli, as Iloel,
was heard to much advantage in the terzettino ; but
his great triumph was in the romance, which he
gave with great dramatic power. his voice is a
fine baritone ; he sings with ease, and can produce
surprisingly high notes without the least appa-
rent effort ; moreover, his style is expressive, and
he evidently feels the music. The romance, as it
deserves, is nightly encored. Altogether the per-
formance of the selection from " Dinorah" de-
serves the highest praise. Principals, chorus, and
instrumentalists, all demand honourable mention ;
but the greatest praise is due to Mr. Morton, for
the spirit lie displays in his successful attempt
to familiarise the visitors to his hall with really
good music.

SUDDEN DEATH OF THE LATE DOWAGER LADY
PLEL.—It is with the most sincere regret that we have to
announce the death of this most amiable lady, the wife of
the late Right lion. Sir Robert Peel, Bart., who expired at
her residence, No. 4, Whitehall-gardens, this morning.
It appears, from inquiries male, that the deceased lady
r Aired to rest at an eatly hour last night, in her usual
health and spirits, and en the lady's maid going into her
bedroom, found her ladyship dead. By this melancholy
event the families of the Marquis of Tweedale, Marchioness
of Wellington, Major •General Jonathan Peel, M.P. ; Rev.
Frederick Peel, M.A. ; Sir Robert Peel, Bart., M P., be-
sides many others of the nobility, will be rlaced in

mourning,

The Right lion. Benjamin and. Mrs. Disraeli «ill
leave town to-morrow on a visit to the Earl and Countess
of Derby at Knowsley Hall, Lancashire.

Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Connell and Miss Skipworth
have left Fenton's Hotel for Liverpool.

Mr. and Mrs. Megnim have arrived at Fenton'
Hotel from Liverpool.

Lord and Lady Feversham (who came to town
to be present at the marriage of their son, the lion. Cecil
Dancombe, with Miss Mills, yesterday), will leave town to-
morrow, for Duncombc Park, Yorkshire,