The Sun.
London, England, 1868-09-17 00:00:00

AGRICUL7URAL HALL.

The unprecedented success which attended the
series of concerts given at the above hall last sea-
son has induced Mr. Charles Goffrie to become the
temporary lessee of the Agricultural Hall, in order
to enable him to give a second series of concerts of
a similar description. The decoration of the Hall
last year no doubt contributed greatly to the satis-
factory result which attended the performances,
gloy were so highly
called to his aid the
assistaMr.nceoore
ffftihohsaes
whose
eeffrts
appreciated on that occasion. The Hall, as now
arranged, presents a brilliant and fairy-like appear-
ance, and created general admiration. The lighting
iseffected jets placed in every
variety
oby
of
fo myriadswith of gasa
profusion of exotic and
flowing plants at each end of the hall. Mr. Ifur-
witz, although not called upon to perform the won-
ders of decoration he achieved last year, has on the
present occasion fitted up the boxes opposite the
orchestra with the greatest taste and brilliancy,
and the celebrated studio of Brucciani has been laid
under heavy contribution to heighten to the
general effect. Copies of the most exquisite statues,
abrottihstie
inmoddeiffrner, have been most
eat parts of the
aanlltyiqupelacaednd
building, also amongst the rich foliage of the
plants, and such is the profusion with
which this eminent artiste has effected his part
of the decoration that the place might almost be
termed the " Hall of Sculpture." The general ap-
pearance of the place is altogether very beautiful,
and such being the case it was to be expected the
band would be quite up to the Mark. This certainly
is the case, for scarcely a name of importance is ab-
sent from the list of instrumentalists the lessee has
secured. The conducting of the concerts has been
confided to the most accomplished musician of the
day, M. Benedict, a sure guarantee for perfection ;
the lessee himself sharing with the great maestro
the responsibility of directing the magnificent or-
chestra. The attendance of the public last night
was immense. The National Anthem having been
splendidly performed by the band, strengthened
by the Coldstreams and the Rifles, the pro-
gramme commenced with Beethoven's Grand March
Triomphale, which called forth loud and ge-
neral applause. Then followed Mr. Harper with
a wonderful trumpet solo " The Soldier Tired,"
and then a debutante, Signora Sofia Scalchi, sang
the finale to " Cenerentola." The Agricultural Hall
is not the place to test the capabilities of the voice,
but from what we heard last night we feel certain
we shall have better opportunity of hearing the
lady, who evidently is a vocalist of high merit. Mr.
Ferren sang " Sound an Alarm," but he has not
the power required for the performance of that
magnificent composition ; he got on much better in
the " Bay of Biscay," for which he secured an
encore. Mr. Levy enraptured the immense audience
with his cornet playing, and Mr. Wehli executed
an arrangement of his own from Faust on the
pi*noforte, but the performer had so overloaded
the original with digital difficulties that it might
almost have been anything he chose to call it, as
recognition was certainly out of the question. On
this occasion we cannot compliment the performer,
for had any one but a celebrated pianist attempted
such a thing at a good concert be or she would most
assuredly have been laughed at. Mad tine Lieb-
hart, of course, secured rapturous encores for her
ballads, and the selection from the Grand Duchess,
for orchestra and military bands, went off with great
spirit.

Altogether Mr. Goffrie has every reason to be
satisfied with his opening night, which, it may fairly
be assumed, gave promise of a most successful sea-
son.

Lieut. Chas. P. G. Hicks was yesterday appointed
to-the Forte.