The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1833-10-04 00:00:00

TUESDAY

The neighbourhood of St. Peter's Church was, at an early
hour of this day, crowded with those who had obtained tickets
of admission, and with others who contented themselves with a
sight of the company going to and from it, and with hearing
the sounds that could not be confined within the walls of that
sacred edifice: The upper rooms of the houses immediately
adjacent to the church were also crowded with well dressed vi-
sitors;—these had, perhaps, in some reFpects, an advantage over
those who -were on the inside of that building, in hearing the
magnificent swells of the organ and the vocal choir, when ac-
companied by the trumpets, trombones, and drums, softened,
by the distance, into a more perfect harmony.
The doors were opened at half-past nine o'clock, and shortly
after ten the church was nearly filled. At eleven the Mayor,
preceded by his official servants bearing the insignia of his ma-
gisterial dignity, and accompanied by Mr. Bailiff Gladstone
and other members of the body corporate, entered the church,
when the service commenced.with Battishal's anthem, "Behold,
how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren, to dwell together
in unity," which was snug by Mrs. Knyvctt, Miss Clara No-
, vello, Miss Masson, Messrs. Horncastle and Taylor, and cho-
rus. The execution of this piece did not strike us as peculiarly
excellent. The "Venite" and Psalms for the day were beauti-
fully chaunted; and the effect produced by the introduction of
the trumpets, trombones, and drums, as an accompaniment to
the Doxologies, equalled in grandeur any thing of the kind that
we have ever listened to. After the third collect, Croft's an-
them, "0 Lord, thou hast searched me out," was given by
Miss Masson, Ilorncastle and Machin—the solo

Whither shall I go then from thy spirit,
Or whither shall Igo then from thy presence ;
If I climb up into heaven thou art there,
If I go down intdhell thou art there also ;
ICI take the wings of the morning
And remain in the uttermost parts of the sea"—
was sweetly executed by Norucastle, and the concluding verse

" Ev'n there also shall thy hand lead me,
And thy right hand shall hold me,"
sung as a trio, is entitled to the same remark.
Before the sermon Green's anthem " God is our hope," was
performed by Mrs. W. Knyvett, the Misses Novelle. and Masson,
and Messrs. Horpcastles H. Phillips and Taylor, and chorus.
This composition opens with a grand chorus

"God is our hope andstrength,
A very present help in trouble ;
Therefore we will not fear,
Tho' the earth tremble,
Tho' the mountains shake,
And the waters rage and swell."
The music of which finely describes the three last lines

Tho' the earth tremble,
Tho' the mountains shake,
And the waters rage and swell."

The service for the day was read by the Rev. Jonathan
Brooks, one of the rectors of Liverpool, and at twenty-five mi-
nutes past twelve the Rev. H. I. Gunning, A.M., Rector of
Wigan, ascended the pulpit. The reverend gentleman's text
was from St. Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians, Bth chapter,
and 2d and 3d verses,—" For to their power, I bear record, yea,
and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves, pray-
ing us, with much intreaty, that we would receive the gift, and
take upon us the fellowship of the ministering unto the saints."
After directing the attention of his auditors to the example set
them by the church of Corinth, in the exercise of charity, in his
exordium, and in enforcing the duty incumbent upon each
member of Christ's church to be zealous in the exercise of
charity, as conducing to the glory of God, he proceeded to
notice, more particularly, some of the charities they were then
assembled to support. First, the Infirmary, as bringing within
the reach of the poor all the advantages of medical skill and
prompt attention to their accidental misfortunes or bodily dis-
eases that the rich could command ; secondly,
.the Dispensaries,
as affording to the poor a ready access to good professional ad-
vice and assistance at their own dwellings; thirdly, the Ladies'
Charity, for assisting poor married women during the period of
their confinement, which, while it diminished some of their
agony, restored them more speedily to health and to the exer-
cise of those active duties which the support of their families
required. In speaking of the School for the Blind, the reverend
divine observed, that the Saviour of the world had, during his
mission on earth, made, on many occasions, the blind especial
objects of his compassion and bounty; and though it was not
permitted them to restore their bodily, still they possessed the
means of illuminating their mental vision, by teaching them
to discover the light of truth. In supporting the Deaf
and Dumb, we were also following the precepts of the Au-
thor of our religion, who had made " the deaf to hear and the
dumb to speak." The reverend gentleman next proceeded to
notice the Blue-coat School, and made some excellent general
remarks on the great and primary importance of watching,
with great care and vigilance, the education of our infant popu-
lation, as affecting, both in a religious and moral point of view,
the most important interests of the state. Surely, he observed,
those wk are blessed with children of their own, who know, as
parents, the wants of children, needed no appeal from him on
their behalf. On the subject of charity generally he said, that
it was not his.wish or intention to excite their feelings to a
temporary exercise of this most truly Christian virtue, but the
best grounds that he could advance for a steady continuance in
it was, thatit conveyed to the throne of mercy the gratitude of
the rich for the blessings they enjoyed. Ile would say, "If
thou bast much, give plenteously; if thou host little, give of
that little ;" for God compares what has been given with what
is left behind. If God has given us the means of providing for
our little ones, it is snore imperative upon us to provide for
other little ones. To the poorer of his hearers he would say,
that the widow's mite was accounted in the treasury of Heaven
a more splendid bequest than the donations of the rich; and to
all—to both rich and poor, he would say, " give as you may wish
to give when the power of giving is about to be taken from you;"
" give in faith, and thou shalt be justified;" and he humbly
trusted that, on this occasion, an abler—a more than human
advocate would plead within their bosoms.
At the close of the sermon, Mozart's requiem, " Benedictus
qui venit in nomine Domini," was sung by Madam Malibran,
Miss Masson, Signor Danzclli, and Mr. H. Phillips. A collec-
tion was made at the doors of the church, the plates being held
by the Hon. Mrs. Fraser, the Hon. Miss Stanley, the Mayoress
of Liverpool, Mrs. 'William Patten, Mrs. Lawrence, and Mrs.
Earle. Among the strangers present at the church, we observed
Lord and Lady Lilford, Sir Thomas and Lady Nlostyn, Sir
Francis Vincent, Mr. Ewart, M.P., Mr. and Mrs. Wilson
Patten, the Hon. Miss Stanley, the Hon. Mrs. Fraser, Miss
Hopwood, Mr. Henry Stanley, Mr. Hulton, Mr. Entwistle,
&c. &c.

The amount collected at the doors exceeded £l3O, in addition
to the price of the tickets of admission, which were charged
half-a-crown each ; and we should observe that no person was
permitted to enter the church without having first paid for one
of these passports.
THE FIRST CONCERT.

The Amphitheatre was the ground on which the great Music
Marshal, Sir George Smart, arranged his forces, vocal and in-
strumental, for the purpose of subduing our souls by the " con-
cord of sweet sounds," and easing our pockets of all and sundry
superfluous half-guineas that might have found a temporary
abiding place therein. Of all his contemporaries, the fame of
Sir George has been built upon the most extraordinary founda-
tion; for, destitute of any eminence either as a composer or in-
strumental performer, he has raised himself to perhaps the head
of his profession by his admirable tact in selecting and arranging
musical entertainments, and by his great success as a teacher of
vocal and instrumental music. With Sir George Smart then
as the presiding genius, and such choice spirits as Madame
Malibran, Mrs. W. Knyvett, Horncastle, Sapio, H. Phillips,
and Donzelli in the vocal, and Lindley, P. Cramer, De Beriot,
Nicholson, Harper, and Dragonetti as performers in the in-
strumental band, we were prepared to expect great things from
-their suited efforts. How -far oar hopes have been or- will be
realized, be patient, reader, and thou shalt know.
An orchestra was formed on the stage, " neat in conception,"
and brilliantly illuminated with handsome gas chandeliers.—
By adding the lobby under the boxes to the pit, an extended
range of seats was prepared ; these were all covered with red
baize, and the space allotted to each visitor was indicated by
numbers attached to the benches. The whole of this part of
the house was reserved, and the right of admission to it was
acquired by the infallible " Vote by ballot system," which,
however it may operate in elections of graver importance, suc-
ceeded on the present occasion in giving satisfaction to all
parties. A short time before the commencement of the Con-
cert, the company began to assemble, and continued to arrive,
until the greatest number that the pit would contain had taken
their allotted places. At this period it presented to the eye an
animating and beautiful picture. The fo..vls of the air, the
flower garden, and the mines of Golconda, severally con-
tributed plumes of feathers, wreaths of flowers, (for imita-
tion) and precious stones, to decorate the fair, who far out-
numbered, perhaps quadrupled, the other sex. We think it
necessary to qualify this statement, because it may have arisen
from our inability to pay much attention to any other object
than woman in all her loveliness; and who so stoical as to con-
demn us, with such an array of youth and beauty before our
eyes ? Turn we now to the Concert, which opened with " Mo-
zart's Grand Sinfonia," (Jupiter;) a piece full of beauties, and
brilliantly executed, but so intolerably lengthy that it almost
exhausted our patience. We question much whether the atten-
tion of any, but an exclusively professional audience can be
kept alive by an instrumental piece of music that consumes
twenty-five minutes of " precious time." When this affair was
brought to a conclusion, the members of " The Liverpool Fes-
tival Choral Society," amounting to twenty-two or three in
number, advanced to the front of the orchestra and gang—

•' All creatures now are merry -minded.
The shepherds' daughters playing.)
The nymphs are fa-la-laing.
Yon bugle was well winded.
At Oriana's presence each thing smileth-:
The flowers themselves discover,
Birds over her do hover.
Music the time beguileth.
See where she comes with flowery garlands crowned,
Queen of all queens renowned
Then sang the shepherds and nymphs of Diana,
' Lang live fair Onana t ' "

This tine madrigal, from " The Triumphs of Oriana," was com-
posed by John Beget, and ia as ancient as the year 15!,8. We
regret that we are obliged to say that cur Liverpool choristers
were somewhat out of tune, and did not execute, perhaps we
ought to say, that they did execute the author's composition.
'ro make amends for this disappointment, for we hoped for
better things from the musical talent of the town, Taylor gave
Der .ilpeu Jager with great spirit—the accompaniment to this
air 'is exceedingly beautiful. Miss Clara Novello's air (a la
Tyrolienue), " w'er hill and dale," composed expressly for
Ler, was encored. Now this species of compliment is not always
th e best test of excellence—all that we can say of the thing is,
that it is a pretty little thing, sung prettily, by a pretty little
girl. Donzelli's Aria, "Ah ! si per voi," from Rossini's Otello,
was, as it deserved to be, loudly applauded: and the same meed
of praise was as deservedly decreed to Horneastle in Blewitt's
prize composition
" When crown'd with summer roar's,
Hope and pleasure lead along,
Through meads of sun-lit beauty,
All that's bright and sweet in song:
Though others may he fairer,
Thou alone art dear to me ;
As to the lark is sun-rise,
Or the blossom to the bee.
When crown'd, &c.
Does sorrow o'er thy pathway
Its darkling shadow fling?
Has cold neglect to winter
Turn'd thy bosom's leafy spring l
In sorrow, as in gladness,
Thou alone art dear to me ;
As sunshine to the swallow,
Or the blossom to the bee.
When crown'd, &c."
This piece was followed by Madame Malibran in " Recit. ed
Aria," " Non pin di flori'' (La Clemenza di Tito), Mozart, with
a Basetto Obligato ou the clarionet, by Mr. Willman, the rich
tones of whose instrument in the accompaniment produced a fine
effect. We imagine this will be considered as the best of the
Italian pieces at this night's performance.
Mr. IL Phillips, who may perhaps be considered as the best
English singer of his day—for Braham has past the meridian of
his fame—introduced one of his own compositions :77- •

My heatt's in the highlands, my heart is not here, -
My heart's in the Highlands, a chasing the deer! •
Chasing the wild deer, and following the roe,
My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go.

All hail to the Highlands, all hail to the north l
The birth-place of valour, the country of worth t-
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.
My heart's in the Highlands, &e.

Farewell to the mountains, high cover'd with snow.
Farewell to the smiths and green valleys below ;
Adieu to the forests and high-hanging woods,
Adieu to the torrents and loud-pouring floods.

Adieu for a while, I can ne'er forget thee !
The land of my fathers, the soil of the free !
I sigh for the hour,that shall bid me retrace
The path of my childhood, my own native place.
Aly heart's in the Highlands, &c.
The deep, full-toned, noble voice of Phillips is too well known
to the lovers of music to require any thing like a description
from our pen. Suffice it to say that he has been very success-
ful in this composition, and that his execution of it was so happy
that an encore was called for by the audience, and obeyed.
In the second act, Mrs. W. Knyvett sang the Recitative,
" First and Chief, on Golden Wing," and the air

" Sweet bird ! that shunn'st the noise of fully,
Most musical, most melancholy
Thee, chauntress, oft the woods among,
I woo, to hear thy even-song,"
from " I 1 Penseroso," by Handel, accompanied on the flute by
Nicholson. No one with ears or souls in the slightest degree
attuned to music could have heard unmoved this combination
of excellence, containing at once the poetry of Milton, the mu-
sic of Handel, the flute of Nicholson, and the sweet warblings
of Mrs. Knyvett's voice. In listening to this melodious strain,
we could not help exclaiming—this is music !
Sapio's " 0! 'tis a glorions sight to see !" was a decided
failure; and Miss Masson, in " Che Faro," was equally unfor-
tunate. She may be more successful in the other work that is
cut out for her, but at present we do not think much of her pre-
tensions to stand in the foremost rank of her profession.
Madame Malibran's " Provencal airs," accompanied by her-
self on the piano, were sang with such a delightful playfulness
and pathos that we were almost tempted to wish that she would
sing nothing else. We shall dismiss the other vocal pieces by
simply observing that they do not require any particular or
lengthened commentary from us.
In the course of the first part the veteran Lindley gave us
one of his solos on his violoncello, an instrument that he has
so completely made his own, that any thing like competition
with hires is quite out of the question. His full, rich, and melo-
dious strains, and graceful and delicate execution, convey to
the mind .the most pleasing sensations, unallolt ed by any thing
like surprise or wonder : and we are inclined to think that these
are calculated to convey more lasting impressions than the im-
passioned efforts of the almost super-human Paganini. We
apply the same observations to the solo of De Baia an the
violin;—had we never heard or seen Paganini, we should have
thought it almost impossible for any one to excel him on that
instrument. _ .

The arrangements fur the arrival and departure of the com-
pany were exceedingly good. Constables were in attendance
at the outside of the house to preserve order, and that this might
be more effectually done, a strong wooden barrier in the front
of the theatre was erected so as to preserve an easy access for
the carriages, and keep the by-standers out of the way, and out
of danger from them.
WEDNESDAY.

The portion of the week's festivities allotted to this day was
restricted to the first of three oratorios, which was given at St.
Luke's Church, one of the finest specimens of modern archi-
tecture in the county. The splendour of the day, one of the
most delightful which this usually fine month could give us, added
much to the gaiety of the scene externally, and contributed
doubtless to the pleasure of those more immediately engaged
within the walls of the sacred edifice. The western extremity
was appropriated to the orchestra, with the aid of the beautiful
organ of the church, under the hand of Sir George Smart.
The side galleries were arranged for the occasion; and these
last, as well as a considerable portion of the eastern part of the
body of the church, were appropriated to those who had taken
tickets for reserved seats, the occupation of which was decided
by ballot, in the manner already spoken of with reference to the ar-
rangements for the concert. The extreme part of the church, ex-
tending to the east window, over the communion table, was fitted
up with a temporary gallery, sufficiently graduated in its elevation
to command a good view of the body, the orchestra, and a consi-
derable portion of the galleries. This particular part of the ar-
rangement was designatedthe " Stewards' gallery," filled, doubt-
less, by their families and immediate friends. The unreserved
seats occupied something less than half the body of the church,
at the west-end, under, and immediately in front of the or-
chestra and the western extremities of the side-galleries. At
the period of the commencement of the Oratorio (eleven
o'clock,) the tout ensemble was very striking, filled, as the
church was, by the elite. of Liverpool and its vicinity. The
performance consisted of three parts, embracing a good selec-
tion from the works of Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Frederick
Schneider, Rossini, Haydn, and other composers. The Ora-
torio was opened by the first, chorus of " The Dcttingen Te
Deum," the solo by Miss Masson. After a recitation and air
from Handel's " Redemption," by Mr. Machin, which does
not call for any particular notice, Miss Clara Novello sang
" The Infant's Prayer," composed by her father, Mr. Vincent
Novello, a man of whom it is only justice to say, that he has
done more to arrange and perfect sacred music than almost
any man of modern days. No better evidence can heafforded.
of the purity of his taste for sacred melody than the' piece to
which we now allude ; a compound of beauty and simplicity,
which has not been often excelled. Nor was the execution at
all inferior to the composition; and we think it would hare
been difficult to have given the piece in a more chaste and ap-
propriate manner. We subjoin the whole, as a specimen of
fine psalmody, for such it must be considered :

RIICIT.

"At early (lawn an infant's voice •
Broke sweetly on the breeze ;
Its beating heart with fervour glowed.
Its hands were join't, its eyes were ratio&
And bent were its little knees.

" Father above, my anxious prayer
Would fain to thee, 0 Lord, ascend ;
Oh, deign to hear my feeble voice,
My Father, God, and Friend.

•• 0 thou who suffered little ones

To approach thy sacred knee,
Look down on those whose tender ears.
Are imitating thee.
Maylength of days, with honour erowu'd.

On earth their happy portion be ;
And smiling cherubs whisper peace,
When death their souls sets free."

We pass over two pieces of minor moment to reach a Scene
from Dr. Callcott, the poetry by Thomas Campbell, which is
evidently founded upon that extraordinary production of Mrs.
Shelley, "The Last Man ;" and was given by Mr. Phillips with
great spirit. Into the concluding portion which follows, he
especially infused every thing which could have boon hoped for
when it was written :

" Go, Sun, while mercy holds me up
On nature's awful waste
To drink this last and bitter cup
Of grief that man shall taste—
Go, tell the night that hides thy face.
Thou saw'st the last of Adam's race.
On earth's sepulchral clod.
The dark'ning universe defy
To quench his immortality,
Or shake his trust in God !"
To this succeeded one of those beautiful morsels of Handel,
which, as long as a taste for music exists, must be listened "to

with- admiration. when given with propr effett--:-" Let the
Bright Seraphim," by Mrs. W. Knyvett, with
_an obligato
accompaniment on the trumpet by Mr. Harper. When we
remember the pleasure with which we have listened to this air
ia "years gone past," from the mouth of this charming song-
stress, we may be excused if, trusting to the more vivid recol-
lections of former days, we say that we think we have heard her
execute it better. Far be it from us, however, to speak of the
present as any other than a superlative Performance ; in which
opinion we are convinced we shall be joined by a great majority
of those who heard it.

At this period a momentary alarm took place in one of the
galleries, in consequence of a slight cracking proceeding from
one or two of the supports which were carried up against the
wall to sustain the upper part of the gallery. A flooring was
constructed three or four inches above the regular pavement of
the church, upon' which the supports in question rested. The
pressure above forced the lower extremities of these supports
through the raised flooring, and they sunk an inch or two ; but
not the slightest accident occurred. A disposition to quit the
gallery was manifested for a momgnt; bet a considerable num-
ber of the persons who were there remained, on the assurance
of the remaining part of the company that there was no danger.
It is a proper compliment to the fair sex to observe, that they
stood their ground—shall we say manfully ?—whilst some of the
other sex, who ought to have set a better example, were making
a precipitate flight. If our eyes did not deceive us, and we wish
they bad, we saw one gentleman with hurried strides going in
the direction of the staircase—forgetting, perhaps, that the fe-
male members of his family were at his side when the alarm was
given, and still coolly retained their places. The Rev. Jonathan
Brooks, Chairman of the Committee, with a coolness and judg-
ment highly creditable to him, explained in a few words the
cause of the alarm, and assured the company that there was not
any ground for fear; but in order perfectly to restore confidence,
he proposed that the interval to be allowed after the first part
should be taken at that time ; during which period the carpen-
ters placed additional supports under the gallery; and after a
lapse of three-quarters of an hour the performance was renewed;
the remaining portion of the first part and the whole of the se-
cond being given in continuation. Mr. Horneastle sang the
following air from the " Athalia" of Handel:—

"'Gentle airs, melodious strains,
Call for raptures out of woe ;
Lull the regal mourner's pains,
Sweetly soothe her as yOu tiow."

To which ho did every possible justice. Its effect was greatly
heightened by Mr. Lindley's accompaniment on the violon-
cello, of which it must be needless for us to speak. Madame
Malibran followed with a recitation and air from "11 sacrificio
d'Abramo." Into the air, •
" Deh parlate, che forge tacendo
Men pietwi, piu barbari
Ah r'intendo ; tacete tacete,
Non mi dite che it figlio mori.
So che spira quell' ostia si cara;
Veggo it sangue che tingue quell' ara ;
Sento ii ferro che it sen lo feri."

she threw all the spirit of the author, Cimarosa.
The second part consisted chiefly of selections from Fre-
derick Schneider's Oratorio of " The Deluge," translated from
the German by Mr. E. Taylor, who opened it in a solo of some
merit. Mr. Phillips followed in a recitation and air, which,
with the exception of the second and third verses of the latter,
" Uncontroll'd, the angry billows
Of the swelling, mighty deep
Overleap the lofty forests,
Climb the mountain's topmost steep.
" Heaven's vast cisterns are outpouring.
Day is changed to midnight gloom:
Sons of earth, your race is ended I
Death has swept you to the tomb!"
was deficient in what we might have expected from him. The
chorus to this was very well done. The words, it will be seen,
were susceptible,of good choral effect.
" Sing Jehovah, our Redeemer,
Him extol, Lord most high ;
Roll ye mighty waves around us,
Vain your fury—God is nigh."
The next piece was a quintet by Madame Malibran,-Mrs. W.
Knyvett, Miss C. Novello, Miss Masson, and Mr. Horncastle.
Its execution was defective, from the absence of that perfect
harmonizing in the voices, which, from the individual talent of
the several singers, we should have expected. This was reme-
died in the succeeding trio by Miss C. Novelle), Mr. Horn-
castle, and Mr. E. Maylor, beginning,
" O'er, the mighty waters
Speeds the welcome dove ;
See the branch she beareth,
Pledge of grace and love."
This was the last of the selections from Schneider's "Deluge,"
and was followed by Madame illalibrau in a beautiful air from
Haydn: _ . _

"Lo arrayed in beauty,
With verdure smiling,
How nature rears her lovely head t
Blooming around us,
Earth's sweetest flowers
Their lovely hues and balmy odours spread
which was given with- a delicacy and expression that drew forth
the silent admiration of the listeners, most suitable to the place
in which they were assembled. The remaining pieces of the
second part consisted of a prayer from Rossini's " Moses in
Egypt," in solos and quartets, the latter of which were in per-
fect harmony ;—a recitative and air from Handel's " Samson,"
where Miss Masson gave evidence of the adaptation of her voice
to sacred music, in the two lines composing the air,

" Return, 0 God of Hosts !
Behold thy servant in distress."
Attwood's coronation anthem closed this part.
The third part was opened by a chorus from Handel's
" Solomon;" and an air by Madame Malibran from his " Re
demption," consisting of those two beautiful verses, the first of
them taken from the 4th chapter of Revelation :
" Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty I who was, and is, and is to come.
" Who shall not glorify thy name ? for TIIOU art holy 1 THOU
only art the Lord."

We may say without reserve, that the merit of superior singing
through the whole of this Oratorio belongs to these two verses.
We should think that it would be almost impossible for the
hunian voice to give greater effect to words than Malibran did
to these ; and such, we believe, was the universal opinion.
If, i❑ some of our remarks above, we have inclined to think
Mr. Sapio had failed in his efforts, we are equally ready to say
that he redeemed his character, even immediately after Madame
Malibran's last mentioned splendid morceau, in the following
recitation and air from llaydn's "Creation :"