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Leader (1850-1860), 24th December 1859, Edition 2 of 2, Page 10

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      J3q0 The Lieaper. [Sto. 509. Dec. 24, 18...

      J 3 Q 0 THE LIEAPER . [ STo . 509 . Dec . 24 , 1859

      Music, The Drama, Etc.

      MUSIC , THE DRAMA , ETC .

      Rondo At The End Of All ;And-In The Whol...

      rondo at the end of all ; and-in the whole . of the second act , on ¦ which Mellon has been lavish of his treasures of harmony and melody , she honourably won , as we have « aid , the liberal applause of the discerning , and maintained the high position she acquired before the production of Victorine by her impassioned performance as Leonora . r-Subordinate parts are allotted to Mr . Honey and Mr . Corri , the artistical basso , whose- aid is invaluable in the concerted music throughout , and especially in the superb ^ Jwa / e to Act II . Neither have we space now to enlarge upon the merits of this long and excellent portion of the composition , in which the gracefullest of melodies are supported by grand masses of sound in a manner that does honour to the musician , and favours the presumption that the public may look for other works of pretension by the same hand .

      Royal English Opera , Co vent Garden .- —The grumbler ' s rest—if such a , thing can be imaginedis again disturbed . The prophet of evil , ever in wait with his carping auguries of failure , has once more lost for a while his occupation , as far as this enterprise is concerned ; for the gift of what he sighed for has forbidden him the pleasure of sighing , and should he venture to condemn the quality of the boon , he would find but it paltry minority to hear him . The production , by an English Opera management , of " Victorine , " an English three-act opera , written by a thoroughly English composer , Mr . . Alfred Mellon , and sung -b y a wholly national

      company , must be accepted as another excellent instalment in redemption of those managerial pledges , whose tardy fulfilment , due more , we believe , to the slowness and prosperity of composers than to any anti-national predilections of Miss Pyne and Mr . Harrison , has been a fruitful theme for the malcontents of the day . The " Victorine" of old Adelphi days , with whose memory is associated that of the best periods of the late Mrs . Yates , and of Messrs . Buckstone and Wright , has unquestionably suffered . by its reduction to the limbo of longs and shorts by the librettist , and by the substitution of lyric comicality for the broad farce of the Buekstoneupon-Scribe original . The melodramatic suicide ,

      again , which , in one form or another , was made the finale of both the French and English plays , has given way in the opera to a happy-ever-after conclusion , which , as giving room for the introduction of a highly elaborated rondo finale , has been more convenient to both the pritna donna and the com- ? poser , and is certainly more agreeable to the public at large than the delineation , however skilful , of long-drawn agonies terminating in a death climax . The overture to " Victorine , " we are glad to say , has the merit of being neither spasmodic or disjointed , but a brilliant and continuous whole . At its close , we are introduced to the cha . rn . bre garnie of the ouvriere Victorine ( Miss Parepa ) , an aspiring

      damsel , who falters between the virtuous love of Iher equal , Michel ( Mr . Haigh ) , and the worldly proposals of the man of fashion , Julien ( Mr , Santley ) . She is encouraged to aspire to the questionable honours of the demi-monde by her companion , Louise ( Miss Thirlwall ) , and one Griffon ( Mr . Honey ) , a cynical member of the working class , who parades before her the charms of fiirniture , horses , ' dress , and delicate hands , contrasted with the troubles attendant upon love in a sixth floor . She resolves , as all playgoers are aware , ** to sleep on't , " and the second act presents a dream , in which the moral of the tale is argued so correctly that the third brings us to a waking decision in

      favour of virtue , and a wholly satisfactory conclusion . We can hardly pretend here to give a thematic catalogue of the two-and-thirty morceaux of the opera ( of which Messrs . Chappell and Co . have published fourteen ) , interspersed with critical remarks for which they offer ample field . But we can find space to mention a few of those which produced the most notable effect upon an audience of more than usually appreciative calibre . Tho first great sensation—after the charming overture—was caused by Michel ' s ballad on the Balfean model , ? ' For I love thee alone , " in which the worthy upholsterer declares his passion , when he bursts in on the insinuating counsels of Griffon and Louise , and finds

      to his discomfiture , upon howunstable a basis stand the affections of his ladylove . In this—in "The Heart that is too lightly Won , "—( Act II . )—and in " Wilt fchou Forsake Me" ( a duet , excised after tho first representation , but a morsel of high lyrical quality —Mr . Haigh displayed to advantage the fine quality with which a portion of his voice is endowed , and did justice to the- music committed to him . Mr . Santley has but one charming ballad , which he sings beautifully , called " I Never can Forget , " preceded by a delicious prelude for the clarionet of Lazarus , and in which he , of course , gains nightly the honour of an encore . That this will become Me air of the opera , as far as the music shops are concerned , wo have no doubt . There is no other greo , t opportunity for

      this artist throughout the work , except tho cleverly ¦ written graceful duo " Good Sir , etc . > " but Mr . Santley is clearly and . rapidly improving as an actor , while as a singer , his eminence has been long assured . The burden of tho opera , by no moans a short or trivial one , as well as nearly all the honours , foil to the soprano , qnd Miss Paroptt , whom we congratulate upon now confessing her nationality , bears so well the first that she richly deserves the last . She has presence , physical power , dramatic appreciation , richvooal quality in parts of her range , an . d highly scientific vocalisation ; a collection of gifts that place their possessor highly among lyrio artists . In the beautiful nira "To love and bo loved , " and " . The Vol , < je of Midnight , " in Act I . « in the truly romantic " Why lingeringMourner " ( a true spark or tho composer ' s higher genius ) j In tho bravura

      The first performance of a work by the lieutenant of Costa , the better musical half of Jullien , the chief of the Orchestral Union , the director of the Musical Society of London , could not fail to create a sensation , among the profession , and all amateurs ; and it is gratifying to be enabled to state that the hopes all indulged in for the success of one so socially as well as professionally popular have been answered . To say that there is not still more to hope for , w " ould be to say that the young maestro has reached the limits of his capacity and of his ambition . But we look for more and yet

      ments , commencing on the great holiday , Boxingday , will be varied-and extensive . The naves and great transept will be fitted up with stalls for exhibitors , and during the holidays a fancy fair will be constantly held . The ample space at the Crystal Palace affords room for an extensive display of articles suitable to the approaching season . At dusk it will be brilliantly lighted up with varied gas devices—a delightful evening promenade ,, secured from wet and cold . A . huge Christmas tree will be placed in the centre of the building , which will be decorated with holly and evergreens and a profusion of flags . The new hall for lectures and concerts is nearly finished , and will be opened by Mr . Pepper with a new and complete series of dissolving views '

      and photographic illustratiops . The Christmas recreations will be provided by Mr . Nelson Lee , who has been commissioned to provide a round of amusement from morning till night . The Campbell Minstrels , from St . James ' s Hall , a ballet troupe , the grotesque singing of Mackney and Sam Collins , ' with athletic magic performances , will be represented on a stage in the great transept . At dark , laughable shadows and phantasmagoric views will be exhibited . In addition to the gas devices , a large number of illuminated lanterns will be displayed . During the holiday period , the Crystal Palace Company will grant tickets at excursion rates to large clubs , schools , and societies ; there is no doubt that very » large attendances may bo looked for . The Great Globe , —Amongst all the Christmas shows and exhibitions this geographical pourtrayal of the world we live in is amongst the most interesting . The Great Globe itself was deemed , on the first opening of this building , sufficiently attractive , and not without reason , for it is one of the most ingenious contrivances ever invented to give a comprehensive idea of the planet we inhabit . The institution , however , has greatly grown with increasing years , and now contains many exhibitions and models , which forni geographical , ethnological , geological , hydrographical , and astronomical illustrations of all that can interest the intelligent

      spectator . Lectures take"placc at various times , almost every hour , which are illustrated by well painted dioramas . In this the visitor moves down the Rhine , having presented to him forty-four views of interesting and picturesque places ^ Iii the like way he may penetrate into Japa-n , sail up the Peiho into the interior of China , or visit all the places rendered interesting by the late contest in India ; and in the same mo . de he may renew the late campaign in Italy . Indeed , it would require a long catalogue to recount all that may be seen at this exhibition , which may with the greatest truth be said to be one of the most instructive , rational , and entertaining in this metropolis , abounding as it does in such institutions .

      Princess ' s Theatre . —On Wednesday the company of this theatre presented the Lessee nnd Manager with a claret jug . We know how often these matters are a part of a system of putting , but we believe in the present case the presentation was perfectly spontaneous , antl a genuine manifestation of the e 3 teem in which Mr . Harris is held by all engaged .

      more ; auguring from the " Victorine "—which has been extorted from Mr . Mellon ' s modesty rather than blossomed from his self -confidence—that there are power and facility behind , which may some day , if time permits , bring forth far greater things . Now that the unconsidered gems of melody —the efflorescence of young fancy—that have waited an opportunity in the composer ' s portfolio , have been fixed upon the framework of" Victorine , " and are disposed of , we may fairly hope , that deeper seated and richer veins of the musfcal soul will be found to yield abundantly to the labour of so accomplished a workman .

      Mondat Popular Concerts , St . James ' s Hall . —The novel and most interesting feature in last Monday ' s programme was the-appearance of Miss Poole and Mr . Ramsden , to give some of those exquisite English ballads which Mr . Chappell is so lovingly devoting himself to exhume and to popularise . This talented antiquary may be congratulated on having secured such able coadjutors in his meritorious enterprise ; and , after the specimen of the joint exertions of the party furnished on Monday , we have no hesitation in wishing good-speed to his old ballad movement . First on the list was " Sally in Our Alley , " given with a simplicity that

      lent additional charm , to Mr . Ramsden ' s otherwise excellent singing ; and we are mistaken if more than one of the many fair damsels who ornamented the parterre might not have felt half disposed to accept the gallant artist , "box and all , " after his charming delivery of that point in the ballad . Miss Poole is fascinating as ever . A deaf man might see her sing with pleasure : a blind one could not half appreciate her . For , really , tho archness and grace of her performance must be seen to be understood ; and we are like to be haunted , having both seen and heard , by her " Woodstock Town , " and " The Oak and the Ash , and the Bonny Ivy Tree . "

      Miss Arabella Goddard played first Bach's " Suite do Pieces , " in F major . So far she failed to carry , with her the sympathy of the audience ; but when she gave Handel ' s " Harmonious Blacksmith , " they rose en masse to demand its repetition . This illiberal , ungenerous , vulgar encore practice , against which we protested in our last , bids fair to rise to tho dignity , of a nuisance , and almost forces the warmest hearted equality --monger to long for popular concerts without " the people . " The victims on Monday were Miss Goddiird , Piatti ( who had opportunity for playing his best , and did ao ) , and Mr . Best , whose Handel Concerto in C major produced a whirlwind of applause . These artists yielded with grace , but yet reluctantly j but Horr Becker , the first violin of the evening , had the moral courage to refuse his charming strain again at the olamorous bidding of his unfeeling admirers .

      The prospectus of the fifth season of the Vooal Association has this weak been issued by tho Secretary , and , without making pretensions to " large doings " in tho coming season , there appears to bo a significance in the intentions of tho directors which argues well for the perfect satisfaction of tho subscribers , and for the advancement of the art . G . A . Macfarren ' s cantata , " May Day , " O . E . Horeloy ' s now oratorio , " Gideon , " and a variety of now and charming part-songs , have already been put in rehearsal , and will be performed during the series included in the subscription . The indefatigable and eminent musician , Mr . Benedict , is , as before , tho conductor , and the Bight Hon . Lord Ward has kindly consented to become tho president . Crystal Palace , -- The Christmas entertain *

      Crystal Palace Company. The Report Adopt...

      CRYSTAL PALACE COMPANY . The report adopted by the proprietors of the Crystal Palace on the 20 th inst . stales , that the gross income of the year has amounted to . £ 134 , 068 12 s . Id ., and the expenditure to . £ 88 , 753 is . 5 d ., leaving a balance to the credit of revenue , for the twelve months ending Oct . 31 st , amounting to £ 45 , 315 10 s . 8 d . Compared with that submitted m Juno , 1858 , the present shows that whilo tlio net earnings of 1857-58 were . £ 35 , 073 17 s . KKl ., those ol the past year arc £ 45 , 315 10 s . 8 d ., mi improvement arisimr almost entirely from tho reductions mauo in

      the charges against revenue for tho year . ¦ X tjfi directors also very correctly exclude tho receipts and expenditure connected with tho Handel Festivals from both accounts j and it will then bo noreolvea that , while tho ohargos for the year ending April 30 th , 1858 , were £ 72 , 890 4 s . lid ., for the l > ft stv f : they have boon but £ 05 , 3 ( 12 10 s . 7 d ., and evoii tins latter sum includes pormanont additions ana improvements which might legitimately have p eeo charged to capital . The sum available for division amounts , with thp reserve brought forward , w £ 57 , 940 10 s . lid ., which tho directors propose ro apportion as follows : To the payment of V ^ voaw dividend and interest on debenture stock or too year . £ 20 , 068 $ s . Gd , 5 to tho payment of a dmaonu on the ordinary shares of 8 s . per sharo , whioii wu » amniint . t . n ^ fiQO nfiO . lnavinrr n . rflnnrvfl of . £ 11 . 218 ftS . *»

      to bo « carried forward to tho next year ' s account . . The whole of the debenture stock haa beon allottqa . the balance of the purchase money for tho iw > u , £ 04 . 833 4 s , 4 d ., due on tho 1 st of July last , has won paid . Only one item has been added to tho oapW " account , viz ., * 3 , 5 QQ pnid to the refreshment contractors , for addition * to tho plant . r Jl >« totftl

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 24, 1859, page 10, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_24121859/page/10/