The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-31 00:00:00

SACRED HAR ‘IONIC SOCIETY,
EXETER HALL.

Handel's magnificent oratorio, Judas Maccabens,
was performed here last night as the Snred Har-
monic Society alone can perform it. The Sacred
Harmonic Society—end that Society alone—can do
justice to the soul-stirring choruses of Handel. It is
true that at the provincial musical festivals great
things are done ; but no set of chorus singers—albeit
each individual may be a most accomplished musician
—if they all meet together for the first time, and
for one occasion only, can give due effect to
the glorious concerted pieces of the Milton of
music. To do that, practice, arduous and long.
continued practice, is requisite ; each individual
must be used to the singing of his companions ; but
when, as is the case with the Sacred Harmooic
Society, wo do meet with a body of tOO chorus
singers, each so used to the other's practice, and all so
admirably drilled as to go together like one vast in-
strument, how sublime is the effect produced. Never,
until the institution of this Society, had the lover of
Handel an opportunity of duly appreciating the
vast, the transcendant genius, of the mighty
maestro ; and never did we feel more grateful to
the Sacred Harmonic Society for their efforts in
the cause of classical music than we did last even-
ing. Could Handel but come to life again for one
short hour to hear his magnificent choruses given as
they were given by the Sacred Harmonic Society,
how would he glory in Isis works. The solo parts
were taken by Mr. Manvers, Mr. Lockey, Mr. Leffler,
Madame Caradori Allan, and Miss Poulter. This
last young lady is, we believe, new to the musical
public.
She has been known to the dilettanti for
some time as one of the most promising pupils of the
Royal Academy of Music, and her performance of
last evening reflects the highest credit both on
herself and on her instructors. Her voice
is a mezzo soprano of rich quality, and it
is completely under command. Nothing could
exceed the correctness and beauty of her intonation,
and her enunciation is exceedingly clear and dis-
tinct. Her duet with Madame Caradori Allan,
" Sion now her head," was beautifully and correctly
given, and her solo, " Wise men flattering," was ex-
quisite. It was given with a true appreciation of the
beauties of Handel ; there was no attempt to intro-
duce adventitious, and, in such a case, worse than
tasteless, graces. She gave the music as it was set down.
She was a tasteful, judicious, and correct developer
of the inspiration of the mignty master, and, it is
needless to add, was rapturously applauded by the,
perhaps, most critical audience in the metropolis—for
the frequenters of the Secred Harmonic Society are
the most acute and accurate musical critics in the
kingdom—they applaud but seldom, but they always
applaud in the right place, and to succeed with them
is to succeed indeed. We cordially congratulate
Miss Poulter. She has aimed high, and she has hit
the mark. Henceforth she will take her place among
the notabilities of the musical world. The Hall was
crowded to excess—in fact, too crowded to be com-
fortable; every avenue was blocked up, and before
the conclusion of the first part there was not standing-
room.

THE THEATRES.
PRINCESS'S.

The public have no reason to complain of the want
of spirit, liberality, or activity in the management of
this establishment. On Wednesday there was anew
piece, or perhaps we should speak more correctly if
we said that Mr. Wallack appeared in a new part.
The title of the novelty is The Brizadier. In the
regiment of the Royal Guard of Louis XV. of France
are a captain and a private soldier, so extraordinarily
alike in person, that they are scarcely distinguishable
except by the difference of uniform. The first (who does
not make a personal appearance on the stage, but, like
Queen Elizabeth in Mr. Puff's tragely, is only talked
of) is about to run away with a nun (Constance)
from a convent in the neighbourhood where the regi-
ment is quartered. To effect this, he invents a pre-
text for desiring leave of absence, which, as the regi-
ment is expected to face an enemy on the morrow, is
refused. The captain, being annoyed at this, drops
some hot words, and is placed by the colonel under
arrest for twenty-four hours. Determined not to be
thwarted, he exchanges uniforms with Bras de fer, his
double (Mr. Wallack), who is to remain under arrest as
locum tenens for his officer, while he departs on his
dangerous mission. The disguised officer is seen to
pass the lines towards the enemy's frontier, and so is
reported, as Bras de fer, a traitor and deserter. The
real Bras de fer is called upon, in his assumed capa-
city of the captain to sign a proces verbal against the
delinquent. This situation, as may be supposed,
affords scope for some excellent acting on the part of
Wallack. Bras de fer is privately married to
Louise (Miss E. Stanley), and it is her earnest
desire to have their union avowed, which the
former dare not do, fearing the anger of his supe-
rior officers. With this view she seeks the captain,
to confess all and entreat his intercession with the
colonel. This is a very amusing scene, for the lady
expresses her feelings to the captain with rather more
ardency than is gratifying to Bras de fer, who, in his
officer's uniform, listens to her story. Meanwhile the
real captain not only succeeds in carrying off the fair
lady, but in securing the convent itself, which is a most
important post at that time for the French army. Poor
Bras de fer is then exceelingly mystified by the entrance
of the fugitive nun, who, by the way, is niece to the co-
lonel (Mr. Granby), and who mistakes the soldier
for her lover. Here is another very amusing scene of
equivoque. The colonel discovers the flight of his
niece, but, for the sake of her reputation, not only
forgives all, but insists upon Bras de fer espousing
her on the spot. From this dilemma he is released by
the arrival of the captain, but the mistaken identity
being still partially continued, the soldier receives the
rank of brigadier in reward for the gallant action of
capturing the convent, which had been performed by
the officer. These are the materials, and slight as
they are, they afforded half an hour's very pleasant
amusement. Wallack, upon whom rested the whole
weight of the piece, was admirable and versatile as
ever, and Miss E. Stanley was pretty and piquant in
Louise. The piece was quite successful.