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Leader (1850-1860), 12th July 1851, Edition Town of 2, Page 663, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      JNOTKtt ON THKATRKS . This has been a busy week . Her Majesty ban viHiU-d llic two operas " in stale—a ceremony which always excites an enthusiastic cnriosily perfectly JnconiprehenHiblt ; to , „<; . Hut the mob dearly Iovcn tmow , " and there i » « o inob more thoroughly

      vulgar than a fashionable mob . At the opera Thalberg ' s Florinda was given ; atCovent Gardn , Mozart ' s // Flauto Magico : —on this latter I shall have something to say next week , as also on the Nozzcdi Figaro , wherein Sophie Cruvelli made her appearance as Cherubino . Certainly Sophie ' s ambition is wide enough !—to make a debut in Fidelio showed immense confidence ; but after

      Fidelio to play Norma , and after Norma to play Cherubino ! Meanwhile it is pleasant to record the fact that Ronconi has appeared , though in so insignificant a part as that of Ricardo , in / Puritani : as Figaro , Podesta , Dulcamara , Jago , &c , we may now hope shortly to see him . Then there is Alboni back again amongst us , after her Parisian triumphs . Will she play Fides here , with Viardot at the rival house ?

      I tried on Tuesday to see Buckstone in the new farce Grimshmv , Bagshaiv , and Bradshaw ; but as fifty people had been turned away before my arrival , there was of course no . seat . [ went away with the reflection that that was criticism enough . The burlesque of Godiva at the Strand then attracted me ; but I seemed doomed to waste my evening , for on my arrival the applause which saluted the fall of the curtain was roaring forth its criticism .

      The Hay market has produced Mendelssohn's operetta Son and Stranger , which though a slight afFair is—I speak by report—full of charming music and worthy of the connoisseur ' s attention . Helen Faucit is to play for three nights at the Olympic . Very good ; but why only three nights ? It is true they have no tragic company to assist her ; but with an engagement or two , their present company may be made to pass muster .

      One line will suffice to chronicle the appearance of ' the Spanish dancers at her Majesty ' s , and their non-success . De gustibus , &c . ! Things so peculiarly national , one would think , must interest every other nation ; but although the lustrous eyes of Dona Petra Cainara inflamed all Paris , they left London cold .

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      mu . sk ; of thk wkkk . The ncir approach of the end of the season cauHCH , a . s usual , a rush of concerts . At the UcclJiovcu Kyomw on Friday , Signor Riban , the

      | eminent flautist , had a crowded audience . A concerto of his own composition , abounding with the most sparkling flute passages , was one of the principal features in the . programme . A new violinist appeared , Herr Laub , and created a great sensation by his performance of an adagio and rondo by Vieuxtemps . His execution is wonderful , and his expression actuated b y a fervent imagination . Signor Piatti acquitted himself with his usual excellence on the violoncello ; Don J . and Don R . de Ciebra gained an encore in a duet for two guitars . Among the vocalists were Miss L . Pyne and Heir Stockhausen .

      In the evening the " Elijah" was repeated by the Sacred Harmonic Society , and appeared to be thoroughly appreciated by a crowded hall . We experienced a most agreeable surprise in M . Jules Stockhausen ' s rendering of the part of Elijah , vice Herr Formes ( absent ) . We have never heard the beautiful air " For the mountains" more expressively rendered . Though M . Stockhausen has by no means the power of the great basso Formes , he has the great advantage of a more distinct articulation of the English language , arid a smoother style of singing , with , at the same time , no lack of energy and conception .

      The committee of this society would do well to try and find out what vocalists are studying such increasingly popular music as is contained in "Elijah . " We doubt whether M . Jules Stockhausen would ever have sung at Exeter-hall except in such a case as this . Miss Catherine Hayes , too , exquisite singer as she is , is not qualified for the soprano part in "Elijah . " There are other sopranos waiting to be heard . Where is Mrs . Sims Reeves , who sang so well in "Elijah" for Mr . Hullah somp two or three years ago ?

      On Saturday , Miss Kate Loder , one of the youngest members of the profession , had a densely crowded auditory at the Queen Ann-street Rooms , as a fitting tribute to her talent . Miss Loder ' s pianoforte playing is in the highest school , and her compositions display a vigour of thought and harmonic resource seldom met with . A violin quartette , composed by the hineficiaire , was well executed by Ernst , J . Day , Dando , and Hancock . Miss Dolby and Miss Catherine Hayes were among the vocalists .

      The last concert of the season of the Royal Academy of Music also took place on Saturday . Two original overtures were given . That by Mr . Bannister , an associate , was uneven , but displayed some good points . The other by Mr . Cusens , though possessing few novel features , was yet melodic and well wrought out . The instrumentation was bold and effective . One of Hummers rondos was brilliantl y delivered by Miss Parker ; and a solo on the cornet by Mr . Hay , the florid air by Marliani , introduced by ( Jrisi into the " Otello , " sung by Miss Oakley , and the bass song "In diesen heiligen , " from the " Magic Flute , " gave great satisfaction . An attractive portion of the concert was a selection from Macfurrcn ' s cantata "The Sleeper awakened . "

      I lie Musical Union brought its labours for the season to a close on Tuesday morning , when Willis ' s large room was crowded by the most distinguished artists and amateurs . The principal pieces were Beethoven ' s tenth Quartet in E flat , played by Messrs . Laub , Deloilre , Hill , and Piatti ; Mendelssohn ' s Sonata in 1 ) , for pianoforte and violin , played by M . Charles Halle and Signor L'iatti ; and Onslow ' s Quintet in A minor , the contrabasao part being executed with a wonderful combination of power and delicacy by Signor Bottesini . Mr . Ella deserves great praise for his direction of thin valuable and excellent society .

      On Wednesday , the last meeting of the Beethoven Quartet Society waa held at the New Beethoven Rooms , which were crowded to the doors . The four greatest violinists in London—Ernst , Sivori , Saiuton , and Cooper , with Hill for the viola , Rousselot tin ; violoncello , and Bottesini the contrabasso , contributed to produce an executive excellence as superior uk novel . This society , originally established by the late Mr . ALsager , in now not solely devoted to the works of Beethoven ; but compositions of the highest order are judiciously mingled with those of the great muster in harmony . la Uie morning Mr . Brinsley Richardu , one of our most ucconipliMhed pianists , provided an excellent performance of clii . s . sical and modern pianoforte music . lit Stcibrlt ' s beautiful sonata in K minor , / or piano and violin , lio whs accompanied byl ' aiiHt ; in Mendelssohn ' s " Thema con Varia-/ . ioni , " by Piatti ; and aflerwiuUH ho performed

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      nature . When Suilius was accused , at her instigation , he defended himself with so much eloquence that he brought tears into the eyes of Messalina herself , " who , quitting the room to wipe them away , adinonished Vitellius not to let the accused escape . " These tears were not tears of hypocrisy , I think ; but tears of sensibility . She could weep , and toiurder while she wept . The nervous excitable organization which made her so insatiable in her lust for excitement , made her also easily moved to tears by the tones of eloquence .

      Tragedy is not the place for historical paradoxes . If MM . Lacroix and Maquet really believed in Messalina ' s innocence , they could have written a dissertation to show it ; but their assumption of the fact is intolerable . All through the piece , I felt that the attempt to make this imperial courtezan a chaste and noble woman was an insult to the audience . But it is in keeping with the rest !

      These men look upon history as an old warehouse , wherein theatrical masks and costumes are kept for the caprices of theatrical amateurs : enter and choose what you like ! Assort the spindle of Lucretia with the bracelets of Lais ; carry the spade of Cincinnatus in one hand , and with the other smooth the tresses of Lesbia ; here is a toga which you may wear with Spanish " trunks ; " here is the mask of a Roman hero which will suit a fast man

      to at I But how these authors would laugh at me for being serious with them ! They who have not been serious with themselves ! What do they care about Art , about History , about Taste ? All they think of is " effect . " Don ' t talk to me about Taste , tell me if such a " surprise" will bring down the bravos ! Poetry , character , passion , consistency , —all very respectable things in their way , —but the drama can so well dispense with them !

      Ah , yes ! it is undeniably true , the drama can dispense with them . The drama has ceased to be an Art and has become an Amusement : poetry , character , passion , consistency , are " not so very amusing , " therefore we employ them not : & quoi bon ? Instead thereof , we show you Rachel in two parts—now the chaste empress , and the next moment the luxurious courtezan . There you have a surprise ! The mere effect of change in costume is worth the finest poetry ! People may not feel the poetry—they are sure to understand the change of costume !

      Let me say that Rachel plays her two characters enchantingly . She is grand , dignified , and pathetic as the Empress , giving to the nothings of her part a significance which was delightful , uttering the weakest phrases with a look and tone which made them memorable . Above all , 1 would beg attention to the exquisite manner in which she speaks to her child ; maternal tenderness and familiarity were never more artfully conveyed by an inflexion of the

      voice . In the character of Lysisca she tasks language to the utmost to convey any impression of her daring and voluptuous grace , her bright elegance , the brio of her manner ! She flashed upon my sight as the realization of a Bacchante in her maddening inspiration and beauty , in her exquisite elegance . She looked bewitchingly beautiful , ar . d yet with a something unearthly , unhealthy , feverish , bewildering . For her sake you could do anything , you could commit any folly , almost a crime—but you could not love her !

      " C est Venus toute entiere a sa proio attach 6 e ;" but it is the grace and fascination of a orgie , not the gentle lovingness of a pure heart . Horace , Catullus , Tibullus , and Anacreon are brilliantly illustrated in Rachel ' s Lysisca—she is Lalage , Lydia , Lesbia , Laia—the ideal of the Creek and Roman courtezan ! But when all is over , when you have wondtired at the picture of that voluptuous Lysisca , applauded her expressive singing—the very voice having a certain

      feverish tremulousneKH in it- and marvelled at tin talent of the actress , what remains ? You leav < the theatre ; admiring Rachel , but what do you carry away with you of Valhin ? No more than if you had but just gaped at a tight rope dancer 1 Of all that bustle , all that situation , all that intrigue , all those effects that have kept you rc . Ktlc . sn , curious ' startled during four mortal hours , nothing remains but a sense of fatigue ! And ibis they call the triumph of dramatic Art !

      Untitled Article

      July 12 , 1851 . ] &t ) C ileatWV . 663

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      THE LADIES' GUILD . Much as Vivian loves and admires Music , there is one thing he loves and admires more , and that is Woman ! As I often say , Woman is the Music of life : the very discords and dissonances she creates only give a profounder compass to the harmony , a subtler beauty to the expression . These discords are resolved into concord , as lovers ' quarrels end in kisses . A friend who knew the profound homage of my heart for all that rela ' cs to Woman , sent me a

      prospectus of the Ladies' Guild , ju . st started undci the prcsidencc of Miss Wallace . The scheme is , that of an association of educated women for the execution of certain works which may give them remunerative em ployment . The art of decoration in glass—for which invention Miss Wallace has oblained a patent , and throws it open to her sexis the Art at present contemplated by the Guild ; but of course the same principles would admit of endless application . I will now let the prospectus speak : —

      " To bring the whole plan into operation , the following menus are suggested : — " 1 . To have a School of Instruction in the Art ; and one is now commencing , iu which , for the Hum of two shillings per week ( to meet the expenses of rent , material , instruction , &c . ) persona above the nge of twelve are taught . As fast as the pupils produce saleable articles , these will be : sold for the benefit of the persons who have succeeded iu making them . The Hehool in at No . 4 , Russell-place , Mtzioy-nquarc , where applications for admission to the class may bo made .

      " 2 . Further : —Ladies possessed of fortune , who would like to aid in Uk ; establishment of the Ladies ' ( iuild , are invited to do so by advancing sums of money uh lonns , at the interest of three per cent . " . 5 . And ladies of fixed moderate incomes are invited to form an Associated Home , in connection with the ( juild ; by which means those now resident out , of the metropolis can join in llie movement , and , moreover , live at . far less cost than any individual cim do in u separate position . " All <; ou . innmcntmns to be addressed--Mrs 1 Hill Vice-President of tho Ladies' ( iuild , I , RushcIIplure , l '' it / . roy-. ' ( inari . "

      II any ol my fair readers feel disposed fo join I his Guild , they have now the necessary information and permission of Vivian .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), July 12, 1851, page 663, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1891/page/19/