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    March 31,1860.J The Leader and Saturday ...

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    PARLIAMENT. ON Friday the preliminary di...

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    Istttertainments, The Author And Players...

    English public scale the heights of Beethoven knowledge an « J appreciation . . No mystic absurdities deform it ( hence , possibly , it was no favourite with the composer himself ) , or raise it above the comprehension of the million , or the executive power of skilled musicians : like Becker , Doyle , Lazarus , Harper , Chisholm , Severn , arid Piatti . It was superbly given by these artists , and thoroughly enjoyed by all present . Not so perfectly done was the Kreutzer sonata , the immensely long and difficult duo for pianoforte and violin . Miss Arabella Goddard is absolute mistress of the >' Kreutzer j" but in one of its three movements Herr Becker yet manifests uncertainty and weakness of tread ; but , in truth , one whom all admit to be so near to Joachim has little to learn . The

    greatest enthusiasm was created by Miss Goddard ' s solo sonata ( Beethoven , Op . 109 ) , and in the solo for violin wherewith Becker opened Part II ., he was warmly encored . From the days when poor Jullien began timidly to test the fitness of the mass for , classical music , times have wondrously changed . The classic pill was then administered to the pupil public with large bribes of the gay and meretricious . Now , after fortyfive minutes of Beethoven septuor and thirty minutes of Beethoven sonata , we have a Beethoven violin solo redemanded , with the Kreutzer yet to come ! These instrumental pieces left room for but four songs . Miss Rowland was much admired in two of ChappeH ' s old English ditties , "The Oak and the Ash , " and " At her Cottage Door /'

    The instrumental portion of the concert of Monday next will be taken from the works of Mozart , beginning with . . "his famoujs ( Quintette in A iriajor , and ending with a most delicious notturno for wind instruments . A new farce at the Lyceum , " 117 ; AruudelStreet , Strand , " gives a iessonTto married gentlemen , ( and we have met with . them elsewhere than in farces , ) who , when they can get away from the restraints of home , affect the humours and airs of bachelorhood . Mr . Walter Lacy is such a gentleman , who , taking lodgings in London , establishes a flirtation with . the maidservant , and gets into infinite trouble , when , upon the appearance of his spouse , he finds himself compelled to disavow her , and so subjects her to the proposals of another gentleman who believes her a spinster . The equivoque is amusing enough , and the make-up and acting of Mr . Rouse and Mrs . Keeley , the empress of " servantgalism , " are both humorous in the extreme . .

    We regret , with our contemporaries , that we may no more know the place in every complete orchestra of Lovell Phillips , the violoneello player . Hedied at Camden Towin , on the 19 th inst ., in the forty-fourth year of his age , and his genial and familiar presence will be not more niissed in . toe musical world , than in the social circles wherein he ivas so popular , for he was a truly kindhearted man , and a most agreeable companion . As a musical executant he had great merit , and his ability as a composer is attested by morceatix recognised among connoisseurs , and popular with the . many , and lie has , we understand , left an opera of his own composition . He held the public appointments of organist to St . Katherine ' s Church , Regent ' s Park , and Professor of Composition at theRoyalAcademy of Music . Mb . and Mrs .. Howarjj Paul on Monday next resume their entertainment , with new songs and characters , at the St . James ' s Hall , Piccadillyy ^ for a brief farewell season . Mrs . Howard Paul is as popular as ever in her " living photograph " of Mr . Sims Reeves ; and she is also announced to appear as the representative of Signer Tamberlik in " II mio Tesoro . " . Mr . JS . T . Smith has issued the programme for the forthcoming sea $ on at Her Majesty ' s Theatre . Recent legal decisions having disentangled the fortunes of that favourite establishment , Mr .: Smith seems to have been selected , as the most fitting person to undertake the work of again familiarising the public with it . The list of artists is a long one . ; JBrs ' t on it we find the superb lyrical artiste Mademoiselle Titiens , who , with the delicious tenor Giuglini , will open the season on the 10 th proximo , in Flatow ' s ' « ' Martha , " an , elegant work , which the gifted pair , with the able assistance of the basso Vialetti , raised to its proper pedestal last year at Drury Lane , under Mr .. Smith ' s management . We are to hear Madame Titiens also , and we hope the same tenor , in Beethoven ' magnificent " Pidelioj" who is to be the Rocco we are unaware , but the lady lias already distinguished herself as Leonora , and Signor Mongini should be all we could desire as Florestan . Let us hope that the chorus will be found in this work to answer its description in the programme , " carefully selected and highly trained . " Then we are to , have Weber ' s '' Oberon " and " Der Freyschutz , " and a new opera by a new Maestro Campana , Madame Borghi-Mamo , contralto and mezzo soprano , for many years at the Italiens at Paris , will appear in " La FaVorita ; " Alboiii in " Semiramide ; " and Piccolomini ( her last season ) in " Traviata , " and perhaps other works . The repertory also includes the " Nozze di Figaro , " ?« Rigqletto , " with , of course ,. " II Barbiere" and the " Don Giovanni" for " long Thursdays . " Besides the urtists named we are to linve Signor Aldighieri , a baritone , whose ? promise we noticed favourably last season ; Mons . Gassier , Mons . Bclart ; Madame Marie Cabel , some time priina donna of the Theatre Lyrique , at Paris , and late successor to Anna Tliillon at the Opera Comique there ; with two pf our countrywomen , Misses Vaneri and Laura Baxter . The Ballet is announced to comprise Aniulin . fermrio , Pocchiho , Salvinni , and Claudina Cucclu , all names of mark in their department . Messrs . Arditi and Benedict aro the musical directors , and nave grave responsibility to organise an adequate orchestra . The theatre , inside and out , has long been in tho bunds of the restorers and decorators , It is stated that the lessee has received formal intimation that the Court

    favour will bo extended to his enterprise , and should tho aristocratic cliaritelle , who have never ceased to . deplore tho closure of the house , add their patronage to that of the mas ? , who acorn ever to stand by him in his new undertakings , there seems every probability tbat Mr . Smith may hereafter inscribe the season of 180 Q at Her Majesty ' s Theatre ' on the roll of his triumphs . . . When we went to press , the arrangements for tho Covjrnt Garden Opbra Season had not been made public . The last three nights of the Royal Enowsh OrisnA Season closed on Wednesday with Misu Louisa Pyno ' s benefit , when the crowd was , if possible , denser than on previous occasions . The " Lurllno" has token full hold upon the public , and tho charming voice of the foil' manageress has , wo are glad to see , suffered apparently nothing by tho frightful caprices of temperature displayed by the London climate for the last Ave weeks . Miss Pyne ' s physique must , we feel sure , demand repose ; a repose wo fear she will not have , if it bo true that the troupe leave

    London immediately , on a provincial tour . Mr . Santley has been absent ffrom the cast of ¦ ' Lurline" since Saturday last : but his place was supplied by Mr . Durand , a singer of good voice and ability , who has hot , we believe , appeared on the great operatic stage of London since he . was the Ferran & p , — -how five years ago—with Miss Escbtt ,. Mr , Augustus Braham , and Mr . Dray ton , in the first production of the Trovatore , then a novelty at Drury Lane . The Crystal Palace Concert on Saturday last was an interesting one . Madame Catherine Hayes , who gave one Italian and two English songs , and Herr Becker , whose violin playing reminds us very strongly of the yet unrivalled Joachim , were the bright particular stars . The Orpheus Glee Union sang some of their best morceaux , and the

    Company ' s band played the overture to " Fidelio , " and repeated Robert Schumann ' s clever first symphony . This day ( 31 st March ) Dr . Sterndale Bennett ' s cantata " The May Queen , " commencing at 3 o ' clock , will , we hope , favoured by the weather , draw such an audience as may encourage the Direction in their expenditure on such high class attractions . The parts in this gem of modern English composition are allotted to Madame Catherine Hayes , Mr . Wilbye Cooper , Miss Palmer , and Mr ; . Santley . We have before heard these artists , with the exception of Madame Hayes , in " The May Queen ; " and we can * assure such of our readers as may attend the Concert that they will find themselves amply repaid for even a good deal of trouble . During Passion week and Easter week , Madame Piccolomini is to sing at the Palace at the Concerts daily , and , except on Satu * day , ^ as usual , there is no additional charge for this

    attraction . Q . . " Cr VocAi . Association . — Under the accomplished conductor , 3 fr . Benedict , the members of the choir whose performances constitute the principal source of attraction are making remarkable progress . At the Concert last night ( the third of the fifth season ) , which drew a very large audience to St . James ' s Hall , all the different schools were represented—the Italian , by Luca Marenzio ' s " Fair May Queen ;"; the English ; by Orlando Gibbohs ' s " Silver Swan , " which is worthy of a place by the side of the most finished Italian models ; the French , by Auber ' s prayer in the market-scene of La Muette de Portici ; the German , by Mendelssohn ' s " Remembrance , " Kuckeh ' s * ' Suabian Melody , " Herr Otto

    Goldschmidt ' s ably written part gong , " Come when the Dawn of the Morn is Breaking , " Mr . Benedict ' s serenade , " Bless ' d be the ' llome /^ and the same composer ' s " Cradle Song , " a specimen of vocal" partwriting , distinguished in an equal : degree by grace of melody and purity of harmony . The solo singers were Madame Sainton IJolby , and Miss Fanny Rowland . Miss Fanny Rowland sang one of Mozart ' s Italian airs , and Mr . Macfarren ' s ballad , " The Beating of my . own Heart , " the last verse of which she was called upon to repeat . There were also some instrumental solos , comprising & fantasia on the " Traviatai" arid the " Valse de Concert " of M . Sain ton ; besides an effective : piece by Herr Kuhe , performed by Miss Eleanor Ward , a very young pianist , with much spirit and brilliancy . ' O- '

    March 31,1860.J The Leader And Saturday ...

    March 31 , 1860 . J The Leader and Saturday Analyst . * 313

    Parliament. On Friday The Preliminary Di...

    PARLIAMENT . ON Friday the preliminary discussion on the new Reform Bill was inaugurated by the Earl of Airlie moving for a variety of-returns , to get at the number of registered household yoters , in order to be prepared for dealing with the bill when it reached that House . The noble Earl indicated the course he ; should take on the question by a severe criticism on Mr . Gladstone ' s Budget . The annexation of Nice was the next topic , introduced by the Marquis of Clanuicarde , who required . from Government farther information as-to the absorption of the territories of Sardinia , by France , as he was deeply impressed with the serious aspect of affairs qn . " t ; he Continent . All . he required was , that there should Le frankness and fair dealing between t , he two Governments in tliis grave matter . Lord Wouehouse had no additional information to lay before Parliament . The question of promotion in the army was- brought on through the order of the day for the second reading of the Mutiny Bill .

    Lord Panmuiie disapproved of the recommendations of the Commission which had been adopted by the Government . He saw no . valid reason for doing away with the existing system" of purchase . There might be biota in that system , but they were not of sufficient magnitude to justify the sweeping change contemplated : Earl Dre G imjy and Ripon implied that Government entertained no idea of abolishing entirely , the system of , purchase . They proposed to modify the prevailing system , and to do away with some of its anomalies . No plan would be determine ^ upon without a previous consultation with the military authorities , and without careful deliberation . The Ear ] of LutiAN earnestly implored tins Government to pause before they took a 6 tep which niight prove fatul to the interests of the army ! lie frankly admitted the evils of high-priced commissions , but those evils might be better dealt with than by the abolition of tho system of purchase . The Duke of Somerset said tjie conclusion

    he had arrived at was , that the command of a regiment . was a serious trust , and pught not to be bought or sold ; The rule ought to be , not to give commands according to money , but according to fitness . The change ought to be made with caution , and it would be made with caution . Earl Gurer said the real quemion was , by which system were they most likely to get the best men for , the command of regiments . For his own part , he was not unfavourable to a wellregulated system of purchase . The Duke of Cammudou said , his sentiments were too Well known to require repetition . Mo was quite willing to adopt tha decision which Parliament might arrive at . Lordl IIaiidinge thought that no compromise would work satisfactorily . He objected to the principle of selection by merit , feeling assured it would

    lend to evil results . The subject dropped .- ' On Monday the Karl o * Ei < i . KN » oiiouan censured tho published Indian financial scheme of Mr . Wilson , inasmuch as it extended tho income tax to soldiers nnd noncommissioned officers . The Dul « c of Arovlk thought there must be some mistake in the printed statement . It was impossible Her Majesty ' s Government could have sanctioned such a plan . In r ^ eply to a question , tho Duke qf Nkwoastlk stated that , although it had been found necessary to withdraw the army estimates for revision , there would bo up increase of the amount . On the important question of Harbours of Refuge , tlie Marquis of Clanricawd *! was anxious that Government should take into coiisi ' dcratlon tho question of adopting the best means to mitigate tho enormous loss of lifo and property which yearly occurred

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), March 31, 1860, page 21, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_31031860/page/21/