Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-07-01
THE GREAT HANDEL FESTIVAL AT
THE CRYSTAL PALACE.
From the London Times, June Il !

from the London Times, June Il
The road from Dulwich to the Palace yester-
day had an appearance which we can only ex-
pect to see again tomorrow. 1t seemed a kind
Of Harmonic Derby day. but in every respect
more orderly than the mixed riotous concourse
which always marks that great equestrian sa-
turnala
An immense crowd of people were collected
outside the building, and remained there
throughout the entire performances. They were
certainly not unrewarded, for during the cho-
ruses the peal Of voices seemed to swell from
the building and fill the air, as though the Pal
ace itself was a vast organ. The Hallelujah
chorus could be distinctly heard nearly half a
mile from Norwood, and its effect as the sound
fOated on the wind, now high, now low, was
impressive beyond description, and sounded as
if a nation was at prayers.
The change determined On at the rehearsal in
the position of the choristers, by means of which
the female singers were all brought together in
front of the organ. and were conspicuous from
every point, not only afforded an agreeable re-
lief to the eye, but added materially to the ef-
feet of the music. The different choral parts
being now well balanced, the thunder of the
mems voices no longer overpowered the more
mellifuous tones of their fair companions and
fellow laborers. Another desirable improve
ment was achieved by the establishment of
screens at the back and sides of the orchestra,
through which cOntriyance the sound, instead
of escaping into the empty galleries and cOrri-
dors in the immediate neighborhoOd Of that
enormous amphitheatre of timber, was thrown
directly upon the area devoted to the audience.
Among other objects in the orchestra that at
tracted general interest were portrait a bust,
and a full-length statue lin marble) of the great
musician in whose honor this festival was insti-
tuted.
The Messiah as every one who cares for mu-
sic is aware, was composed in 114l-planned
lntAL AL11 N.1 al II.
brief period of twenty-five days, having been
commenced on the 22d of August and finished
on the 18th Of September, A fortnight after
this the first part of Samson was ON paper
such prodigiOus rapidity, the very elaborate
character Of the music considered, would be
Incredible had we not the authority of Handel 5
own dates for the fact This imperishable mas
ierpiece was first performed in Dublin on the
;aih of April, 17i2, with the utmost success.
How this decision of the sister isle has been
ttamped by the approving verdictO Of the civil
iZed world-how nearly Il century and quar-
ier has elapsed since the composition of the
Messiah, without robbing it of one atom of its
,ttraction-how to this day, when music has
made such strides and gone through many
phases, when Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and
Mendelssohn have lived, and written, and died
musicians and cultivated amateurs, strength
med by the unanimous popular opinion, still
box up TO il as the greatest piece of sacred
music which the art can boast, we need hardly
Isist. The solemn and impressive effect of its
performance at the unprecedented celebration
yesterday, the devout attention, edfcatiOn,
and delight of the multitude assembled to hear
{, sufficiently attested that the Messiah was
lOt work for yesterday, to-day, or tomorrow,
)ut for all time-One of those Inspirations of
;enius for which we can only account by at
Tibuting them to higher source than that of
imple buman agency.
hay tp1 xrac
wonderfully successful. The greatest effects, it
nay readily be imagined, the extent and pecu-
iarities Of the arena being taken into consider
alton, were produced by the choruses, of which
the Messiah affords so astonishing variety.
All Of these went more or less well, while
some surpassed in grandeur of tone, precision
and upanimlty, anything we can call to mind.
The most irreproachable were naturally those
n which the occurrence Of forid passages is
least frequent, and broad and massive harmony
Is the Ir Jminent characteristic. The very first
chorus, And the glory of the Lord, f" at once
disclosed the signal advantage gained by the
new disposition of the female voices. The
trebles more particularly, which at times were
scarcely audible during rehearsal, now came
out with penetrating clearness. " And He
shall purify the sons Of Levi is one OF those
,horal pieces abounding in florid divisions, and
here there was good deal of occasional un-
,teadiness, especially (strange enough, their
lepth and Solldlty OF tone consldered,) among
he basses, which, swing to and fro, were only
prevented from going astray by the marvellous
decision Of Mr.. Costa's beat For unto us
child is born was perfect.
Ths, IA ID burst" Wonderful, Counsellor"
lost nothing by this, but rather gained, since
1 moments reflection must convince any one of
he absurdity of uttering the preceding words
-. His name shall be called''-in tone
carcely audible, while the close Of the annun-
:iation-'' Wonderful, CounsellOr''-the name
tself-is shouted with the utmost possible loud
Iess. The audience, moved to enthusiasm by
D fine performance, redenanded it obstreper-
usly; and their applause continued until the
,astoral symphony had been played half way
trough but the conductor was inexorable,
nd resolutely declined to interrupt the course
f the Oratorio for which he is entitled to the
hanks of all discreet persons.
The - Halleluj jah' during which, according
D traditional custom the whole assembly re-
lained standing) was grand beyond descrip
ION. To be brief, no less can be said of the
stounding chorus, Worthy is the Lamb,
Vith which the oratoriO terminates. The
Amen" was equal in all respects to the : Hal
sujah," and constituted fitting climax to
ne of the most impressive and exciting per-
FINANCES ever heard Of the Messiah.