The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-05-04
SIR MICHAEL COSTA.
sketch Of His Carccr-IIls Various Compost
iionA.

uout.
Michael Costa. whose death was an
nounced wednesday. was born IN Naples
I'm FEBRUARY, 1910. He belonged to good
family, and was OF Spanish descent. Early
in life be showed taste for music, and be-
gan TO compose while yet boy. His father
encouraged him, and sent him 10 the Royal
Academy Of Music at Naples, where he had
the advantage OF studying under the IA
nous Tritto, whose reputation then was
very high. At fifteen he wrote cantata
called ''L'Imagine," which was produced
at the Theatre OF the Academy. Its recep-
ton was encouraging, and |: was not long
before he wrote another cantata, " IL De-
litto Punito," which was performed also
in the same place, and which exhibited re-
markable merit. On leaving the Academy
he became conductor oil the orchestra
OF one OF the minor theatres at Naples.
There he produced his first work Tor the
lyric stage" ii Carcere dill Degonda." IL
was highly successful. and ran so long that
the Young composer came under the notice
OF Barbaja, the Italian impresario. and he
engaged him to write an opera for the San
Carlo. "Malvina" was the result. Its
pure Italian music captiyated the audience,
and IL was played at various theatres IN the
chief Italian cities. Malvina" was writ
fen when Costa was only nineteen, and
while he was yet under the instruction OF
Zingareni. The maestro sent him 10 Eng
land In 1890 10 take part in the Birming-
ham Musical Festival. He was welcomed
SO warmly that he determined 10 make Eng
land his home. In 1881 he was engaged
as conductor OF her Maiesty's Thea
tire, and soon after he produced his charm.
ing ballet. Wentworth" which he fol-
lowed uD by two others equally successful,
"JJue Henre a Naples and I" Sire Huon."
Four years later be went to Paris TO con-
duet his opera. "Malek Adel." which he
had composed especially for the Ita|icn
opera in the French metropolis. His work
was much applauded, and he went back to
his post at her Maiesty's with renewed
confidence i'm his own ability. In 1889 he
was made a naturaiZed subject OF Queen
Victoria and 10 1874 brought out his opera,
"Don Carlos" Nine. Grisi, Signor La
blache. and Signor Mario were among the
performers, and the piece was emphatl-
caly pronounced TO be admirable. For
two wears longer he welded the baton
at her Majesty's and then was made con-
ductor OF the Philharmonic concerts and
conductor Of the Royal Italian opera at
Covent Garden. While fulfilling the duties
OF this post Mr.. Costa wrote the work by
which his name will be best remembered,
the oratori0 OF CELL" Excepting only
Memberships "Elijah aud "St. Paul."
this work is generally admitted to be the
finest oratorio produced during the last
hundred years. Ii was originally per-
formed at the Birmingham Musical Festi-
val in August. 1855, Nine. Fiardot Garcia,
Mime. CASTELAR,, Mr.. Sims Reeves, and
Herr Formes undertaking the principal
solos. Its reception was most enthu-
siastic. Soon after its production a
massive piece OF plate was presented
TO him rs q testimonial at BAN
quet in Birmingham, presided over
by Lord Willoughby de Droke. The sub
iect Of the testimonial was appropriately
taken from the first chapter OF the First
Book OF Kings, illustrating the presenta-
ton in the Tabernacle Of the infant Samuel
TO Eli. On the silver plate at the back the
following inscription appeared "To
Michael Costa, in cOmmemoration OF the
first performance, on the Goth OF August,
1855, of Eli an oratorio generously COM
posed by him for the Birmingham Musi-
cal Festival, in aid OF the funds OF the Gen.
eral Hospital. As a tribute to his genius,
and as 4 record OF his disinterested libe-
rality, this testimonial Is presented by the
noblemen and gentlemen Of the Committee
OF Management"
The first performance Of cell" in Lon
don was an event Of considerable interest.
II occurred at Exeter Hall on February 10,
1856, Queen Victoria, the Prince Consort,
and brilliant suite being present. The
audience, forgetting the silence usually OBJ
served during the progress OF an oratorio,
frequently burst into energetic applause,
and finally were aroused to extraordinary
enthusiasm by the splendid battle song,
"Philistines, bark the trumpet sound
ing" detained with wondrous force by
MIR. Sims Reeves. At the conclusion OF the
oratorio Mr.. Costa received an ovation OF
the most fiattering description.
From that date his career was brilliant.
He was made permanent director OF the
Sacred Harmonic Society, and his pen was
ever active. Fine accompaniment to va
rious oratorios were written, among which
"Naamau," perhaps, is the best. In 1863
he was made q knight, and the King OF
Wurtemburg in the same year gave him
the royal order OF Frederick, las mark
of the admiration entertained by his maies-
ty of the oratOrio of Eli performed under
the composers direction at Stdttgardt In
the previous November" Sir Michael was
also knight of the Turkish order OF the
Medjidieh and was decorated also with
many other orders.