The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-09-20 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL.

Since our last Theatrical notice a succession of standard
dramas of sterling merit have been performed, principally from
the pen of the immortal Shakspeare, and, as ought to be the
case, to crowded houses; Mr. Kean (whose engagement has
been prolonged) taking the principal characters. In our last
critique we thought' it our duty to express a decided opiniqn
against Mr. Kean'4 reading of "Richard 111. ;" we felt it in-
cumbent on us if we wrote, what we.profess to the best of our
judgment, a just criticism, and did not wish our theatrical no-
tice to descend into mere panegyric, to do so; from no hostility
to Mr. Kean (who as a young actor of talent we admire) but
rather with a different feeling.' Mr. Kean comes on to the
stage with the advantage of his father's reputation, and he ap-
peared to us (like most men who•occupy so fortunate a position)
to rely some little upon it, and to attempt, as it were, "to ride •
rough shod" over the judgements of his audience. We would
recommend him, however, to rely solely on his own talents fer
sustaining that reputation; for if not, he will find that tho Ugh
great, and deservedly ao, was his father's fame, liize a costly
garment it will wear out with the using. • On Tuesday evening
we saw his Sir Giles Overreach, in the Comedy of "A. New Way
to Pay Old Debts ;" and we also saw a part of his Shylock, in
"The Merchant of Venice." In both these charmers
we were strongly impressed with the opinion that, though
the acting was generally good, and in some points ,toldwell, yet there was a coldness—a want of feeling infused into
the character—a detached fragmentary sort of acting, not a
oneness (if we may coin a word) of character throughout each
hplay, which left each, his greatest effort to appeal bet to .the
ead, whilst the feelings were totally disengaged. The seine
remarks might be applied to his King John, in the play of that
name. Last evening, however, as Othello, we were much more
favourable impressed with his acting. His representation of
the noble-minded and unsuspicious Moor was a splendid piece
of personation, and worthy of the reputation of his father. The
unity of character was preserved well throughout ; he was ener-
getic wiihout rant; he felt the character he was performing,
and it appealed to the feelings of his audience; their interest
was intently excited as the play proceeded, and he was fre-
quently and deservedly loudly applauded. Indeed, last even-•
ing, the whole of the characters were well cast. Mr. Stuart, as
lago, played with much talent, and contributed most materially
to the effect which the performance produced. We have `set'
dem, either, witnessed the part of erigo better filled than it.
was by Mr. Browne, or the part of Cassio than by Mr. Cooper.
Miss Faucit also played well as Desdemona. In speaking of the'
performances of the week we ought not to omit noticing Mr.:.
Cooper's performance of Faulconbridge, in "King John," on
Friday night, on which evening he took his benefit. This gen..
tleman, in figure and natural manner, is admirably adapted for
the character, and he played it exceedingly well. We were'
glad to see he had so good a house; he is a• most useful and
ta-
lented actor, witff the advantages of a, good figure and voice.
We hope that the performances of the present class of plays
may yet continue some time. The time spent in witnessing a
good play is not lost.

LA a LAcius.—The immense figure of Lablache hakcaused not
a little merriment to the country people in the course of his
musical tour, which, by the way, is represented as being very
productive to the party of which he forms one of the most pro-
minent. On reaching Leicester, the front wheels of the coach
broke, and the coach itself turned completely over; the party
inside, consisting of Mademoiselle Assandri, Ivanhoff, and
Lablache, were presently extricated from their situation ; but,
on taking the latter out, the crowd assembled burst out into a
loud laugh, and he good-naturedly joined in the merriment at
the ridiculous figure he cut: At "Letceater, it appears, the ar-
tistes met with the Duke of Brunswick; who was proceeding try
Manchester, and he
ti offeredihuapt 0 :bien Lablachegmal
sispte acbt place loatfchetehienr
[oval
atcarriagepbearsssooncaotgoneft
the remainder of the journey, which was accepted, On
ItnhaO.ennDutkhee
roadvin ee thed
the
es solemn a
taanrrsi
deli-
beratelyW hils t the e
p.phrooraseebs
approached
wereth changinge v.
ivehicle,
and,at Derby,sta.ri nagn
fiorlsdt
of Brunswick, and then at Lablache, she turned to the latter,
and exclaimed with much bitterness, ".No thunder -the balloon
coomed down with thy great weight. 'Who), did'st thee go up
with Mrs. Graham, thee great hulk ?" London paper.
COACH ACCIDENTS TO MUSICAL. PERFORMERS.—The MUSi"
ca 1 world had nearlyp(,ah ne
ti
e di
vbsauyusilt:oiiff(n;
tlahni
erdr ehgpila.sarcsaoehr
graceful
e, 1
and
A, losses,aann,biitra.i
I,:cacui accidents,
servant,nhtesr
which have occurred to some of its mpst distinguished ornas-
in a pair horse coach, hired for the purpose,
were
mother,n 1 n t s orna-
ments.
T. aalve,ecalabl
inl
nai g
from Northampton to
.Leicester, when the machine was upset,
ootfrrio.nlocarmtlttoiltyien:.kaentiwaeinirla,yestythuWeinfni
rtmaeohlblm:a/urennttLiiht:tologjrulue)
melancholy accident
record
sant)
iva
vo
on ofteivl b
itehae party.vesll it a s N A
the'e regretabove
preserved here, as do;tlteorAeliasnachge
accident that happened to the Peveril
great (daeaSi'amturmd,ayst.ifiactatti‘ovno
lieve we [nay to-. the unfortunate transaction, hut we be-
guarantee the correctness Of the following details.
It appears that some portion of the traces havi'og snapped when
the coach was about five miles from the London side, of Bed-
ford, the coachman lost his controul over the hiirses, who
swerved from their course •ayainst the hedge on the side of the
road, when thst vehicle, which was crowded inside and out With
Passengers, was overturned. A gentleman of fortune, of the
name of O'Brien, who had been travelling on the continent,
and was returning to Dublin, taking this town in his way in Or-
der to be present at the festival, was killed on the spot. Mr.
Ponder, the well known ophieleide player who wits engaged,
had his shoulder put out, and Mr. Pigott, a violinist, Who was
one of the performers at the Concede da Camera at the Han-
over square Booms last season, had his arm severely injured.
He and Mr. Ponder were both disabled from attending the fes-
tival, but the committee, in the most handsome manner, ex-.
pressed their intention of paying every expense attendant upon
their mishap. - The remaining person whose inj tales Were of
any consequence was the coachman. For two hours be re.
maimed under the coach, before it was possible to extricate .hins'
from, his horrible position. He is not expected to survive: Mr...
O'Brien had been the life and soul of the travelling Party,
is said to have been a gentleman of highly accomplished mitio
band was communicated to Sir G. Smart, nalb"ei:l'onfnAtlrs. An-
derson,as well as fascinating manners. Another casualty amongst the
to Mr. Anderson, the violin player, the
,h,us
been
lie, .1 -
a gig, was disabled from
attending the-festi‘a .
James Calkin.—Mcincheste r
sent an efficient substitute in Mr.
the celebrated pianiste,,who, having,
.a': throw,nm.o,etivteorf,
seal has been placed di co are
i ndistihmes ilivtliaeos:t.,ee.
j—tutisGit,arroivyt
ujiniraiteiii.
s Bruce,
- - Stephenson, Samuel arc Phillips, Esq., and
Sir Benjamin S
7.l.l.ri.ring the absence of-Lord
ininpiliocnaininolnlhleinvclAeln.ainisds-
jotlnieelpsrivy
the Hon. Frederick Byng.
We arc sorry to announce that Madame Adelaide, the King's
raitoianiit,inaennat;lhi)s,
where, we undeistand, their average receipts per week
.„amounted
in theseplping times.
mttooi
gbtroi
ttwwbneeefnrcouxi ini.4o2a,
esarunecdde successful tour
iteaonustur
nit to
throughus.ahNi,
iit.t
sisotelre,Bisuclol,nßtinocclhstao,hceur,
e
petitioonfs
twheascodmemlivieureeedvyoneectride-;
printed. report of theecmomfrtortiinttleheeoln'anpuglisloicf
exTtrheemetwdeisnatpyp-soiixntthment.
inclusive,
presented to the House of ComnlsheduTitngi It'huenipbaesrtosi. es petitionss
it b.,
the 20th of Augustyesterday morning, and, with it the is-
hours
The King of Prancehasecweas.ivesPl3r4i;m tilt; Queen of Porte-
gal a letter congratulating him upon his recent escape from •as-
sassination. . .. . . . ,

WRITTEN AT SIGGLESTHORNE CHURCH, YORKSHIRE,

(By WILLIAM KENNEDY.)

ART thou a wayfarer sun-scorched and weary,
Sick of life's pilgrimage toilsome and dreary—
Doff the shoes from thy feet—leave a vain world behind thee,
And enter with me,
This peace-hallowed spot—there the fancies that blind thee
Shall, Truth-stricken, flee.
Meet is this mansion for suppliants lowly
Their offerings.to make at the shrine of the Holy— -
And meet is the flower-spangled turf, lightly swelling
Beside each gray stone,
To deck our low roof when we pass to the dwelling
Of those who are gone.

The hoary church walls, where Time's hand rudest presses,
The ivy hath clasped with its fondest caresses;
With love never fading, 4 twines its green lingers
Above and around • -
The pile where the poor village worshippeilingers,
With feelings profound.
v blest be the symbol } To breasts. passion-riven,
'Tis the index of hope—the bright promise of heaven ;
Yea blest be the sign !—ls thyyoung spirit broken—
Still be of good cheer
That the Friend of the friendless will aid thee, the token,
Pale mourner, is here.
The song in that dim-lighted temple is ended—
The faithful are sped who their orisons blended—
And I too must forth from this soft scene of quiet,
, To mix in the crowd,
And strive—all unfit—where the heart-crushing riot
Of men is most loud.

One prayer, ere I part from this sweet spot—one only.
To Hun who deserts not the fainting and lonely—
. 3 grant that the sense of this hour's deep devotion
With me may remain,
When I traverse life's highway—its dust and commotion—
Reluctant, again !"

MANCHESTER MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

(Abridged from the Manchesier Guardian.)
THURSDAY MORNING.—CHURCH.
Our last notice brought the proceedings at the festival up to
Wednesday night, inclusively. We now proceed with Thurs-
day, the third day.
The performance of this morning comprised the whole of
Handel's Sacred Oratorio, " THE MESSIAH," with additional
accompaniments by Mozart.
Our magnificent Collegiate Church on this occasion, although
it presented au appearance of great splendour, froth the number
of elegantly dressed females present, was evidently not so well
filled as on tne preceding morning.. The patrons' gallery was
occupied up to its•highest seats, and all the other best parts of
the church were full of company, but in the hack seats of the
gallery and of the side aisles,.iu the choir, and some iaher parts
of the edifice, the number of persons assembled was much smaller
than before. We do nut exactly know how to account for this,
as) we understand, at most other places, the Messiah has gene-
rally proved the greatest attraction of the meeting. It was a
source of gratification to us to observe by the programme that
this magnificent oratorio was to be played with the accompani-
ments added by Mozart. Some difference of opinion prevails
in the musical world as to the propriety of adopting these addi-
tions to the sublime creations of the inimitable Handel. Musi-
cians of the old school contend that the compositions ought to
be left in the same state they-came from the hand of the "mighty
master," and that anyinterference with them is little less than
sacrilege. Other professors, imbued with apredilection for the
varieties of modern science, tell us flia.t liapdeLhimaelf, had the
age in which he lived possessed the resotircesUfthe'present day,
would undoubtedly have availedhiinself of them;:an'tf the Messiah
-would hive-come down ty us as rich in varied aceompaniment
as it'is in unadorned harmonies eed'in solidity. , At all events
the effect of these additions them Selves is sufficient to decide the
ciestiori. , That man must be indeed a bigot to the .old school,
who afterhearing the oratorio, with these delicious' aectibijani-
nfe-nts, Performed by the same individual's, and in the same style
they were on Thursday, could ever wish to hear it without.
In "Comfort ye my people," Mr. Brahain was exactly what
we could wish. He infused intense pathos into the part; .his
style was 'subdued though firm and energetic, and be evidently
felt the full force of the beautiful music on which he was engaged.
.But, in " The voice of him that cried," he again gave himself
up to his besetting sin ; bawled in a most ruthless manner, and
his voice when at its full stretch was miserably out of tune.
" Every valley," the air following the recitative above alluded
to, was not sung very well in tune, anymore than the recitative
itself; but, with all its defects, was a great treat to the lovers of
Handel.
The Chorus, "And the glory,". the first in order of thecrato•
was,finely sung, the voices, as they were indeed throughoutthis morning's performance, were closely compacted, and the
parts of the chorusses were taken up with correctness and deci-
sion. This remark will apply to the whole of the -chorusses of
this morning, and therefore it will be unnecessary to notice
them in detail. Some of them, however, are so striking in them-
selves, and were given in such a. very superior manner, that it
will be neceassary to allude to them particularly in the proper
place,
" Behold.a virgin," and the air, "0 thou that tallest," were
sung very sweetly by Mr. Terrail, but he has scarcely power
enough for a large and well filled church,.to parts of which we
are certain in his voice would.never make its way.
In the air, "The people that walked," charmingly sung by
Phillips, the additional accompaniments of Mozart had ainost
-delicious effect: what a Goth he must have been, who could have
heard themund wiihed them omitted! In our hurnble opinion,
without .them, favourite as the air was with our forefathers, it
Must have been, rather a dull affair. It is now sparkling with
-light and brilliancy.
Madame Caradori Allan sang, "There were shepherds," with
much pathos. ? Rejoice greatly," was also given with great
-brilliancy by the same lady. The name of, Madame Malibran
de. Benet was inserted in the programtnefor this song, but it
seems that the illness ,with which she was stated le have been ,
attacked on the.preceding evening, during the concert, bad in-
creased upon'heri and she was unable to attend at the oratorio
this morning. Printed copies. of a medical certificate, were
circulated in the church in the morning and the theatre in the
everting to the folloWing effect :—.
".Madame Malibran deßeriot is still. suffe,ring from. severe,
indisposition, and in..our_ opinion cannot with safety, at,
the oratorio this 'niorning,.or.tia. the ea iacett‘ this v g.
(Signed) "-garnqellArgent BardsleV.,
. • - Tilos, Worthington, surgeon.
at'Mosley ursday 15th Sept.,
laW, •half-past. twelve o'clock."
ieceit. which had tieen Eissigned originally to Malil2ran
,
were taken by
,Caradori. What the. nature of the complaint.
was with 'Which the eminent songstress alluded to was attacked,
we are not aware. Dering,the concert on Wednesday night it
was stated she became so bad as to render it necessary for her
to be bled. . .
Mrs. A. Shaw was much admired in,. " He,.shall feed.his.
ftock;",.and "Come unto him," by Mrs... Bishop, was very beau-.
Wilily given. The fine chorus, "His yoke is easy," concluded,
the first part of the oratorio.
In. the second part, the. depth of Mrs. A. Shaw's splendid;
contralto voice was .heard most advantageously in, '.`.lle was,
despised." It couhl not liaveheen more chastely, or.eoriectly,
sung. The chorusses that followed, particularly that,extraorch-,
nary and characteristic chorus, "All we like sheep,:' were exe-,
euted with all the power and precision, which a betty of singers.
so well acquainted with the compositions of Handel might justly;
b'e.expec.ted tie. exhibit. . .
.•
o Thy, rebuke 'hath broken his heart," was given in a style
that"spewed .Mr. Braham bad no need of resorting to violent;
and exaggerated efforts, and theatrical display, when he wished"
to touch the feelings was perfection.
The.air,," But thohdidit not leave his soul in hell,'!,hy Mrs.i
Bishop, is deserving of particular notice. She was well in tune•
throughout, pathetic and elegant.
The grand chorus, " Hallelujah ; for the Lord God omnipotent,
reigneth," concluded the second part most magnificently. Its'
sublime effects can only be properly appreciated by those who
beard it. The power of music in the mass, simple, sublime,
and solemn, could scarcely, be carried further than in the execu,
tion of this inimitable•ehorus on the occasion in question. -
`! I know. that spy Redeemer liveth," was allotted to. Mrs.
Knyvett, and .could not have, been assigned_to better.hatuls.
Her-peculiar forte is oratorio singing; at the cathedral andahe
ch arab; alio ie much more at home than in the concert room; a
more delicious treat, as a sample of the best style. of: true Eng-
lish singing„ in. the perfection,af chasteness,.purity of tone, and
clearness of enunciation, could scarcely be imagined,'... .
" The trumpet shall sound," was sung very effectively by Mr.;
Machin, altholigh liable tune remark we. have before made, of;
Ita want of mellowness,) . The trumpet acconipaniment is one
of the, most difficult tasks th,e. performer -upon that difficult in-.
strument, can be called upon to execute. Mr. Harper, however,'
is: ...rnaster of, his art, eThe passages were, given with incon-
ceivable, neatness and finish, and with a splendor of tone that
ha* tiever,been attained by any one but himself. his instrument'
w.a.o accurately in tune, and moved with the voice in harmonious,
combination. .
The zrand chorus, " Worthy is the Lamb," was another. of.
the triumphs of the Manchester Festival; and "Blessing and,
honour," which concluded. the third morning's perforroanoes,
was another., We reinarked a. proof of good taste, thatahe,
whole of the ainlitery remained in the church to hear it, . Not
a persOn stirred from the patrons' cr ryalle conclusion.
• gallery,
THURSDAY _EVENING'S
,CONCERT... • The theatre for the. Thursday eveninee conceit, was.filled to•
suffocation in every part of it. Many ladies fainted.froin the.
extrerue heat, and various disputes Occurred .from the over
crowding. In fact the auditory. were.kept the whole evening in
a, most inconvenient, and utKomfortable state; and.what was the
worst of it was that there w.as.net.adequate cul.joyrnenLto be de-
rived from, the perforniaucs.to, entripeusaite: foe ixtxejne in_
convenience they, were subjected•to; .awing principally to the—
absence„fromillness, of Madanse..blatlikram. ,
n's Pastorale
The 'perfurmaves commenced with , Beethove
symphony.", It is a splendid composition moat certainly, al-
ums/O.: we are free to, admit that the composer failed most
Is/previously when.he thought he could !paint by musical sounds,
In 'eche. way as that they stood thae
,s,lire=td•actihmanceintelliapheitz
recognised,. "Ja scene by a rivulet,
by,a4hinider storm," and '! the Shepherd's song otiratitude."
The Swiss Boy," (with variations) followed. If. Miss C.
Novella imagines she can step into the shoes of Stockhausen,
in this peculiar style, she is mistaken. There is as much dif-
ference between the two, as it is possible to conceive.
The duetto of Bellini was of, a better class, though selected,
in all probability, on the. same ed captanduin principle. Cara-
dori and lvanboff both. exerted themselves very efficiently, and
were greeted with enthusiastic bursts of applause ; there was,
however, no call for an encore.
,De Beriot's violin concerto wai a splendid affair. He played
again without a copy before him, and without it being at all ob-
servable that his memory was taxed by the omission, or re-
quired any aid from written. music.. His double notes were ex-
ecuted with great power and certainty, and other difficulties sub-
dued without any apparent effort. The great charm, however,
was the brilliance ofstyle, and the impressive and feeling man-
ner in which the exquisite tones of the instrument were drawn
forth. ! • • .
TIN) fimsle to Pidelio concluded the first part of the concert.
hwent off.mith great spirit.
The second part commenced with Mendelssohn's overture to
a "Midsummer Night's Dream." This is decidedly one of the
firal,compositions of its class, and may rank with the overtures
ta,Auacreon and Der.Freischutz. It is a. composition of extra.
o.rdipary elegance, variety, and. fancy, and was splendidly per-
formed. Its extraordinary merits, however, were not. appreci-
.ated. Scarcely a hand was raised at its conclusion. 'But what
-tlild 117 expected from an audieiace that could encore " Auld
sclitain6nce.!"
sang'" Sweet bird," very sweetly indeed, and
• '`" accompaniment was skillfully executed. Great as
was the o,lio
earst we derived from the performance, we rather'
dOubt the
this Occation.-1 ,iety "of so hicknied an affair being selected for
The beautiful Qeaerit: t from Oberon, " Over the dark blue was very fin
eelecuted, and proved one of the Most
effective pieces of the selc
encoreit. tmo. There was a slight attempt to
The trio of Correllis, rem violoncellos and double bass, was a
great treat to the admirers of strip ged and double
The splen-
did tone of Lindley, and the Arztraordinary force and facility of
Pragonetti, excited both astonishment
and
denthetassaioate!!
also proved himself an able supporter of his gige r uc