Cambridge, Friday Evening...
The Times, 1824-07-06T00:00:00

Themusical festival has commenced, we are happy to say, umder the most favourable auspices. The concert commencedat & o'clock with Ro sini'spopular overture to La Gazza Ladra, wvhich was very finely done. The first song was one from Mr.Kellner, caled " The M1aniac," to the wvords of Campbell's admired lines, " Hark ! the wild M1aniac sings." It is a manuscript composition by Mr. Kel. ner, and welicalculated to display his bold and nervous style. The Scotch duet, "The' you leave me now in sorrow," was then beau- ttfully sung by Misstephens and Sapio. The lady was received In the most flattering manner by ser splendid audienice,and the song was encored. Madame Catalrni next ascended the orchestra, anal she was also received with the highest distinction. The first song was that of Guglielrni, which is irntroduced in II Faetetico ; the air beginning " Mio ben per te quest 'anirna." She gave it with much variety ot expression, and of course made it effective ; but it is not a composition of the highest rank. A concerto upon Nicholson's flute followed, and he played with that beauty and richness of tone .br whicb he is, unrivalled, and whichl no musicians estimate more highly than those of Cambridge. The duet from ?Ric- ciardo, in which occurs the brilliant movement "Ab, nati e ner," was executed with remarkable spirit and grace by ColbrI Ros- slim, and Sapio. Madanie Rossini's singing was particularly ad- mired for its chaste finish and rich quality of voice. Sapio gave with much sweetness the air of "Smile again, mny bonnie lassie," and Aliss Stephens was encored in tha. of " Gin living worth." Rossini and Catalaui then appeared to sing the duet " Se fiato in cor- po avete," from Cinarosa. Rossini hadt taken the pianfo6rte in Ca. talani's son!g and in the duct in which his vife took paTt, but so great was the interest excited by thlC promise of his singing, that the audi- ence renewed the expr.ssionsof favour which they had previously be- stowed. When lie began the song, there was a quietness about his face which it was difficult to understand; but as he pioceeded to thc droller parts, the contrast was admirably effective. lie possesses arL uncommon play of countenance, and mansges is most adroitly. His voice is a high tenor, rich, full, and flexible, but givng no indica- tions of practice or cultivation. He sings with apparent indiffer- nce, and it his pretensions submitted hint to critical remarks as a singer, he would decidedly heconsidered defective in style and man- ner. fe evidently knows this, and with good tasteselects those pieces where um ouristhe inaterial requisite. The duet was re- ceived with bursts of laughter, and a loud and universal demand for repetition almost anticipated itS cloSe In the second instance he gave a broader touchi to somic of his points, once or twice injuriously to their efrbet. Ht mitmaged, however, to increase thie mirth of liis hearers to an almost boisterous extent (for such an atmosphere), and absolutely put MVladamne Catalani fhors do 6omf'at; she was literally convulsed with laughter, and unable toprocLed in two or three plares. Cat--ani then gave that singularly beautiful piece " Elena,' from La Donnla ael Latgo. Shc gave thie air with the truest feeling, anid marked with most powerfuui ei,phasis thc " tutto detesto." The inimitable LintlUcy played one of his unique concertos, to the great deliglht of liis audience. Rossini then sang his own celebrated " Lar- go al factorum," from lt Bartiere di Sivig*ia, and again pro- voked unbounded laglghtcr by his vivacity and huniour. Another uncomprontlising encorc was called fbr assoon as hc h3d finished,nd. he complied vith gzreat good naturc. ';'hc terzetto, " Cruda Sorte"- was next performed in a truly splendid manner by Catslaui, Colbran Rossini, and Sapio. " Rule Britzumia" vwas the liuilk. It is im- possible to describe the ect whichl Mladamc Catalani produces in this national song. lhether to a mixed concourse in a thcatre, or in the Senate-house atCambridge, one of the sanctiteries of aristo- crary, shc never fails to rouse feelings that are altogetler incontroll- able in their rature. Imnmense bursts of applause followed each statiza, and as they were continued for sonic timc after the clost, Catalani ordered the band to strike up *' God savc the King," of wlich she sang thefirst verse with all her finest energy. ItisncedlesS to add, that at Cambridge this was received with enthusiasm. SKrult.DAY, July 3.-Thegrand selection of Sacred Music at St. ;lary's church has not becn so well attended as the concerts. About 100 or 800 people were present, and the building is said to hold 2,000 if well filled. WVe understand that the morning perform- ances are never so welfl attended here, and there was a congregatios. at the Senate-house, which would in some degree dindnish the num- bers at the church. SuNDAV MIoanRING, July 4.-The second miscellancous concert, given last night at the Senate-house, was, if possible, more splendid htian the first. In the body of thc house there wasa still eater crowd, a-id the gallery was decidedly bettcr filled. The selection was cquallg good. A fine overturc by Rnmber% was the openng.. Mladame klossili -and Placci took the lead iiithc vocal pieces, and camc off witih great clbat. Catalani's song was a very fine produc- tion Facci. Atter Haydn't symuphony in E flat, Sa16 o opened the seond act wi.h Dr. Pepusch's celebrated Cantata of dtcxis. Gata- lani followed in a beautiful Rotuanza by Morlachi. After this a new comic trio by RYssini was sung by him, Sapio, and Placci. It 18; callcd P'apa Tarei, and is not only a most hum lorous tling, but con- tains passagesofexquiiitc beauty. Hiis own singing was markedby the same huniouras on the former night, and exLited the risibility ot the gravest faces in tbe room. TIhe cncore was demanded, but opnosed bv the more considerate part of the audience. He also sang the lessozi duet front n Fauotico, witb Catalani. Miss Stephens sang "Sweet ilonie," by deslre,and so sweetly as to provoke an una--, niinous cncore. The concert ended witl "G(od sivc tle King," the verscs by Catalatli, and the whole corpsjoining in chorus. Rossini's rvoice was remarkable above all the rest, and upon being laughingly complimiienlted upon his English, lie replicd, that it w*as "very Well indecd." CA1MBRIOGE, FRIDAY vEYEVrrG.