The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-09-25 00:00:00

THE BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL

From own Coepondent.
You (I am sure,our
be happy r
tros hear that) this festival is
progressing most satisfactorily,- both for the funds of the
hospital and the musical treat to the hearers of the perform-
ances. On Tuesday, the selection at the Town-hall (which
has been newly and elegantly decorated by Mr. Scott, artist,
at the Theatre,) went off exceedingly well. The music was
of a mixed character. The Coronation Anthem, by Knyvett,
opened, and Mr. Pearsall's following song, "'ln native
worth," from the Creation, was in his happiest style. Much
praise is due to Madame Caradori Allan, Dorus Gras, Miss
Birch, and Miss Hawes, for the feeling and pathos displayed
in their classical execution. of the music committed to their
charge. Braham was quite himself, and equal to his palinv
days, particularly Luther's Hymn. Phillips and Medd:
excellent as usual, and indeed the recitative and air Of-
former from Israel in Egypt, " Wave from wave,"
concluding chorus, was most splendid. The evening per-
formance was very fine, with several encores. I have not
time to write at length, and therefore hasten to the gem of
the performance on Wednesday. The Lobgesang, or Song
of Praise, by Dr. Felix Mendelssohn. lie conducted this
exquisite composition. It commenced with a sinfonia, of it
rich, pastoral, and religious character ; a melody that " take
the prisoned soul, and laps it in Elysium ;" the music is in-
deed " softly sweet in Lydian measure." " In notes with
many a winding bout." "In linked sweetness long drawn
out." You will pardon my quoting Milton,
but that master
poet can alone describe the " music married to immortal
verse" of this sublime hymn. It rises from the soft song of
thanksgiving to the full diapason of praise and joy. yet so
delicately attuned as to realise to the willing and wrapt
imagination " that undisturbed song of pure concert,, sung
by " the bright seraphim in burning row." Where all was
beautiful in the extreme, it is hard to select a passage, but
splendid indeed was a plaintive solo of Braham, in all the
majesty of woe—beautiful exceedingly was the choral, " Let
all men praise the Lord," and the duet of Caradori Allan
and Mrs. Knyvett the very soul of harmony. The conclud-
ing chorus, " Ye nations offer to the Lord," was a worthy
and soul-stirring finale, and elicited the excited plaudits of
the auditory, and an unanimous encore. One word of the
author—he is a dark contemplative looking man, with genius
in his eyes, and his whole frame trembling with the enthusi-
astic love of his art, showing indeed the triumph of mind
over physical endurance. His delight at the success of the
performance was intense, and the brightness of his smile
indescribable. I can only say that the elegance of his concep-
tion and the delicacy of his taste, made his hymn an offering
fit, indeed, 'to rise through nature up to nature's God.' Great
credit is due to the able and indefatigable exertions of Mr.
Munden, the conductor, and Mr. Hollins, the organist. I
cannot for want of time say more to-day.—Ever tour's.

with tt

.J S. C

PROTESTANT OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

The following requisition has been presented to the Rev.
H. M'Neile, by sereral constitutional friends, who are de-
sirous of forming an Auxiliary Protestant Association for
Toxteth-park