The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-12-28 00:00:00

MENDELSSOHN'S " ELIJAH."

Last Wednesday evening, the second performance or
this grand work was given by the members of the Philhar-
monic Society, and the manner in which it was presented
to the andience is calculated to raise a higher feeling of
admiration, if possible, of the musical capabilities of the
society, and prove that talent of a very high order does
exist among our own townsmen, and that if more atten-
tion was given by the public to the delightful and elevat-
ing science of music, Liverpool would rank as the first
musical town in the kingdom.
Of the oratorio of " Elijah," when we say that we were
delighted beyond measure, we believe that we only ex-
press the feelings of the audience assembled last Wednes-
day, who testified by their applause their appreciation of
the heavenly work of the much lamented composer, and
the spirited style in which it was performed. Indeed it
was a musical treat of the highest order, one calculated to
raise the listener above the world of common place things,
and cause him to meditate on the wonders of the great
ruler of the universe. _ _ _

At the commencement of the performance, as a tribute
to the memory of the composer, the chorus " 0 happy
and blest are they who•have endured, for though the body
dies, the soul shall live for ever," from the oratorio of
" St. Paul" was given with great effect.
The introductory recitative was well delivered by Mr.
Armstrong, who took the part of Elijah. The overture
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performers, and was a masterly piece of execution. The
first chorus, " Help Lord ! wilt thou quite destroy us ?"
was quite electrical. The recitative 'Ye people, rend
your hearts and not your garments" was exquisitely de-
livered by Mr. Bishop, as Obadiah ; great taste and much
study were evident in this piece. The air which followed
" If with all your hearts you seek me truly," by the same
gentleman, was sung sweetly, particularly the words
' Thus saith the Lord," rapturous applause followed,
and many murmurs of " Beautiful, beautiful !" could be
heard among the delighted audience.
Miss Stott and Mr. Armstrong gave great satisfaction
in the recitative and air, commencing with " What have
Ito do with thee, 0 man of God." The quartet, " Cast
thy burden upon the Lord,"by Miss Stott, Miss Parsons,
Mr. Bishop, and Mr. Armstrong, was exquisitely sung;
and the air, "Is not his word like a fire,' by the_ latter
gentleman, was executed in a masterly manner, and wag
received with applause.
At the termination of the first part of the oratorio, the
last chorus was much applauded, and was repeated.
The second part commenced with the air "Hear, Oh Is-
rael," by Miss Stott, which was a chaste piece of singing.
The chorus which followed, and the recitative and chorus,
" The Lord bath exalted thee from among the people►"
by Miss Parsons and Mr. Armstrong, was a perfect treat
to any lover of music. -
Too niuch praise cannot be bestowed upon Mr. Arm-
strong for the artistical skill displayed in the air'," It is
enough, 0 Lord ! now take away my life, for I am not
better than piy fathers."
The trio, by Miss Stott, Miss E. Stott, and Miss Par-
sons, " Lift thine eyes to the mountains, whence cometh
help," was encored. The recitative, by Mr. Armstrong,
~ I go 111 T way in the strength of the Lord," was also re-
ceived with evident delight. Mr. Bishop's air, " Thee
shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in their heavenly
Father's realm," NM a perfect gem, and received with the
highest applause.
The choruses were sung with great precision and much
expression. We seldom remember having heard better.
Miss Stott and Miss Parsons both sang with much taste
and feeling the parts given them. Both Mr. Armstrong
and Mr. Bishop acquitted themselves admirably, the rich,
mellow voice of the first gentleman being particularly
noticed in some of the recitations. Altogether, it was a
delightful performance ; and we hope it will not be long
before the inhabitants of Liverpool whiVatnitbhd to hoes
the oratorio of Elijah again. .:.,,......
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