Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-02-03
CHARLIE STON.

and respectable, of American cities, has been the
remark Of more than one sugacious traveller from
countries beyond tho seas. 1t is true Of hcr now
Il. at any former day. She is "solii" in her real
estate valuation -" solid" in her commercial opera
tions solid IN her aims and expectations; and
"sod" in her ways and means. She is "respecta
bic" in her tone Of sentiment, social and political;
respectable" in her men and measures; and Gre
spectacle in the "reminiscences of her ancient worth.
We have interlarded our commendatiOn with the
word "sombre," which surely needs no explanatory
udden1un, to any one who has seen her antigua
ted wooden tenements and dingy blocks of brick and
mortar.
2. And Mt Charleston, in the Institute Hall, on the
night of the 22nd ut, from central seat, umid
numerous aud brilliant company Of delighted listen
crs we had tho pleasure Of hearing Thalberg;-
THALBERG the foster-son of the Muses., the superior
of Liszts the father Of mighty Fantasies, the des-
pot of Demiseniquavers IN angel OF peace IN his
exalted melodies, demon of excitement in his tor
nados Of musical rage. Such, and 'such-like,' arc
the phrases of laudation showcred upon the head of
this celebrated master of music, who is now moving
and making money amongst us. Of course the style
Of this praise is obnoxious to the charge of hghfau
tenism But the meaning Of it all is nothing more,
thunh ut Sigisund Thalborgs command of the piano,
and his control and direction of its mechanical PC
culiarities have reached degree Of excellence which
human fingers md human tnste have never before
been known to achieve. AS to the real pleasure af-
rorded by his decentralization, we doubt if ten
in hundred find their expectations equallcd. His
l,,t ,,s, Tia, ,nu sip
is beautiful, but not enhancing And this may be
readily accounted for without dsparagng either his
genius or his skill The truth is, the pnno is not the
instrument with which to reach nnd overwhelm the
SOUL After NIL Is done with it that can be done, 1t
stands before us as an instrument. We see art art
art, in its ntonations, from beginning to end Its
combinations Of sound may become pleasing or SUR
prisng soothing startling, according to the mood
or taste of the performer. Yet it never express
tho impulses Of true genius to tho full Indeed its
availability TO this end appears sadly contracted,
when compared with the power and beauty the har-
mony and richness, Of various instruments united.
In the rendering Of any nuhc composition whatever
upon the piano, while we have all tho parts Of the
piece given accurately and with due expression 1t Is
still but the uitcrance Of all instrument whose whole
mechanism says to ts master, "Thus far shall thou
20 lutl no farther" 1t is impossible to bring the
soul to hear upon its effect as in the bugle or horn
The fingers tho agents i'll producing the tones OF
the forucr: the breath of life gives voice to tho lat
ter So with the violin while the piano is depen-
dent iur liz emphasis upon the greater or less degree
of force with which the hands strike upon its keys,
the violin is placed next To the hrobbnG breast Of Its
MASTER aud his whole muscular energies can be eN.
ertci in adding humor, passion, or ralhUs, to its
modulations. Take then into account. tho admitted
superiority in tone, Of both the violin and the horn;
aud the piano must he regarded second or third
rate instrument even in the hands of Thnlberg.
And when We say that Thalberg falls below the en-
peclations of nineeuths Of his hearers we lay the
efficiency to the instrument,-not the musician.
). But Vieux Temps hos the instrument Of triumph;
aud he manages itwth skill, tastefulncsg, vgor,
and soul-felt enthusiasm, which carry every audi
once by storm 1, may be tLut his co-laborcr on the
piano has more Of scientific cultivation, and more Of
genius Yet outside the ranks Of toing professors,
vieuxtemps will command ten pluudts to Thalberg's
ono. So ut least wo feel and as We feel we write.
4. The English Opera was also in full blast while
We were in town; and barring sundry defects which
it is useless mention here their performances were
deridedly creditablc and entertaining. Rosalie Du-
rand, their Prma Donna, sung many things both
artistcully and swcctly. Her acting too was capital;
and her toned beauty of face and figure would
have made her fayorc with the pitt Ind her other
qualifications been many degrees lower thnn they
really arc Mpst Of the other members ST the troupe
tl,o;r
II was observable, that even in the third nnd fourth
ratio characters, both tho singing and the acting wero
of kind to add effect to the whole performance.
The manager Of the company shows his sagacity III
selecting Operas within tho reach of his peoples
powers very carefully avoiding those Of trugic and
heavy cust and choosing rather such light, graceful
and amusing representations aS " Cinderella" "The
Bohemian Girl" :" The Child of the Regiment"
aud others OF that class uf compositions. We
learn that it is probable that this troupe will visit
Augusta. IF 50, we warmly recommend them and
their performances to our readers Go, and be richly
entertained, rs guarantee you will be, by the New
Orleans English Opera Company
). Dat have not yet done with the musical
amuscments it our good fortune to stumble upon
in Charleston. Werner's new establishment of three
stories and basement will be cure to attract the eye
Of every visitor, during the present Mt least
It is ali new, bright, clean and comfortable, from
bottom TO top. In the basement may ba found the
bnr-room proper,-aud by this We mean the brandy,
gin and whiskcy department. The first floor (as we
call it in the country is the eating saloon, which
disanty affects something Of the style Of Delmoneos
and is withal very well lighted and cheerful-luOk
ing room. Tie second floor contains the billiard
room; And on the third We find the Concert and
Iagcr-bccr Saloon. 1t is hero that Wcrners Concert
Band perform for three or four hours every night
seated upon II das or elevated floor at one end of
tne room, while tie hcer- drinkers locate themselves
ut tables throughout the apartment, and smoke, and
sip their beverage, and listen to the really fine music
Of the Wcrncrs. They are indeed wc-;ra and
very capable band of musicians, fur superior (as is
generally concedcd) to any band heretofore had in
only 10 cents, and you expected then to take at
least one two glasses Of Lager while you remain.
Few Germans stop short of haf-dozcn. All together,
Werner's is pleasant place; and VIC commend it TO
our friends Of the country who may be visiting the
city during the coming Spring. But enough Of lnu-
steal matters.
G. a word Of the press. We had the satisfaction
Of frequent intercourse during tho week with several
of our metropolitan brothers of the quill.
Mr.. YEADoS of the Courier the oldest member of