The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-04-25 00:00:00

MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.

PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.—On Tuesday
evening the third subscription concert for the season
was given by this society. The programme, which was a
miscellaneous one, was judiciously selected; the various
pieces- contained in it being well adapted to the powers
and training of the artistes into whose hands the execu-
tion of them was entrusted. It also contained choice
pieces selected from the works of Beethoven, Mozart,
Weber, Mendelssohn, Purcell, and Donizetti; besides two
capital specimens of that charming style of composition,
the madrigal. If ever a programme was to prove at-
tractive;.such a one as that alluded to mustbe successful ;
not relying altogether on the pieces selected, a judicious
eye was held on the means by which its creditable execu-
tion could be ensured, and in that respect nearly every-
thing was done which even the most fastidious could
reasonably desire. In addition to the available resources
of the society, the valuable services of Madame Clara
Novello and Mr. Sims Reeves were secured, and the re-
sult was as might have been anticipated from such a
union of forethought and capability—a large and brilliant
audience, an. effective performance, and general satisfac-
tion. The opening piece was the charmingly facinating
" Pastoral. Symphony," by Beethoven, the varied expres-
sion and the flowing melody of which were rendered in a
charming manner by the band, the light and shade and
varying dramatic effects being brought out into clear and
distinct relief, yet nothing displayed offensively. Such a
performance of so difficult and so important a composition
was, in the• highest degree, creditable to the instrumental
resident talent of Liverpool. At the conclusion of this
beautiful symphony, the perfOrmance of which was justly
greeted by merited applause, Mr. Sims Reeves made his
appearance, and sang Mozart's sweetly expressive aria,
" Dalla sus pace"' His entrance was welcomed by loud
plaudits, and a heartiness of recognition which at once put
both the singer and the audience on the best of terms,
and he sang his allotted task con amore, and with the
happiest effect. His singing in this was sweet as well as
powerful, appealing to the heart as well as to the judg-
ment of his auditory ; and he was eminently successful.
The entrance of Madame Clara Novello was the signal for
a general outburst of enthusiastic welcome, which she repaid
by a graceful recognition, followed by a flow of vocal har-
mony not less surprising than it was enchanting. She
gave Mozart's beautiful recitative and aria from Figaro,
Deh vieni," in a style of which gushing melody and
chastened sweetness formed the prominent characteris-
tics ; the concluding passage, as a piece of artistic
vocalisation, could hardly have been surpassed. Purcell's
stirring solo and chorus, " Come, if you dare," was given
by Mr. Sims Reeves and the choir in admirable style, the
martial spirit of which was well sustained. The same
gentleman's singing of Weber's great and expressive scena
—from Der Freyschutz —" Oh ! I can bear my fate no
longer," was a masterpiece of dramatic musical execution,
the beautiful tones of his rich and clear voice bringing out
the tenderness of the sentim6nt, while his high culture as
a musician enabled him to render perfect justice to the
melody, without in the slightest degree sacrificing the
expression. The solo of the evening, however, was Ma-
dame Clara Novello's singing of Cagnoni's aria, "Ah se
potessi," in which, concentrating her wonderfully expres-
sive powers and her brilliant execution, she excited a per-
fect furore, and was rapturously encored. Besides the
pieces enumerated, there were other and greatly applauded
performances, foremost among which must be ranked the
finale to Mendelssohn's unfinished opera, ",Loreley," calling
into play the full powers of Madame Novello, and the
capabilities of the chorus, both parts of the performance
being admirably sustained; the latter displaying good
training, judgment, and good-will; the former evincing
wonderful vocal power and amazing expression. This was
an extraordinary combination' of musical with dramatic
effect ; and all the parties engaged in its performance
seemed to vie with each other in doing justice to its mani-
fold beauties. Among the novelties introduced was a
M.S. overture, composed by Mr. H. Tivendell, and dedi-
cated to the society. It formed the opening of the second
part of the concert, and, though well performed, it did not
strike with such telling effect upon the audience as its
merits entitled it to receive. This might, and, no doubt,
did arise from the very brilliant selection of music by which
it was contrasted. A fantasia on the flute, after Nicholson,
was very creditably performed by Mr. Percival, who is
obviously a flautist of no small merit. His embauchure is
good and steady, his fingering rapid and effective, and, if
his intonation is occasionally a little uncertain, be may
remedy that by care and study. The concert was brought
to a conclusion by a spirited performance of Mozart's
splendid overture to the " Marriage of Figaro." As a
whole, the concert was one on which the society may be
justly congratulated. It was in all respects admirable,---
admirable in selection and execution, and scarcely, if at
all, lesswadmirable in the ensemble of its gay and fashion-
able audience,

Ax THE THEATRE ROYAL, on Tuesday evening, Miss
Cushman appeared as Meq Merrilies, in the drama of
" Guy Manneriug," which she performed in her usual
style of power and excellence to a crowded and admiring
auditory. Last night, the annual performance by the
Literary and Dramatic Society was given in the same
house, under distinguished and fashionable patronage.
The pieces selected were Sheridan's sparkling comedy of
" The School for Scandal," and " Turning the Tables," a
laughable and spirited farce by Poole. In addition to
these, the performances were enlivened by an original
Prologue and Epilogue written for the occasion. The
proceeds were to be given in aid of the fund for the wives
and families of soldiers on foreign service.
AT THE ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE the attractions have
been the separate efforts of Miss Anderton and Mr. G.
Honey, in addition to " The Butterfly's Ball," which still
continues to hold a prominent place in public esteem.
On Wednesday evening, Miss Anderton terminated a suc-
cessful engagement by performing Mariana, in Sheridan
Knowles' favourite play of " The Wife." This young lady
has made deserved progress in public regard, by assiduous
and unobtrusive study of her profession. Her elocution
is greatly improved, and having acquired greater confi-
dence on the stage, her acting displays more freedom and
polish than it did on her earlier appearances here. Of Mr.
G. Honey's performances we have already spoken favour-
ably. He is a comedian of a capital order ; full of genuine
humour, which lie shows off in a quiet and artistic man-
ner. During the brief recess of a week, prior to the Easter
holidays, this house has undergone great improvements in
its internal appearance. The fronts of the boxes and gal-
leries have been re-decorated in a tasteful manner ; consi-
derable alteration, with a view to improvement, has also
been made in the lighting before the curtain. The seats
in the boxes, have all been restuffed, the centre ones being.
covered with ruby morocco, and each alternate row having
been furnished with a back. In short, a great deal has
been done to increase the comfort of the audience; and
the house looks clean, lively, and inviting.