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'i -ACTJI-MT./..^ ;-f r^V ^LA fil f*!* ' ! il ' ^
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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. " ELI" AT THE BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL . ..,., , . { From a Correspondent . ') a ¦ . Birmingham , Wednesday evening . Tii-xviT , the 29 th , of August , Mr . Costa ' s new oratorio , Eli , was performed for the first time . The interest of the entire festival was concentrated on this day , frtiim this one performance ; in fact , it may be said to have been the clijnax StJthe festival ., It bad been the sole topic of conversation in Birmingham Sjrcles for soipe time before its production ; it had been anxiously looked forward 4 a by ' the musical public throughout England ; and , however great the attraction offeped to the lovers of music on the other days of the festival , by the performance Of such works as Elijah and the Messiah , still it was Eli that brought to Birmingham the crime of the artists , professors , and amateurs of this countryifenras EU that gave to the Festival of 1855 a European importance . Need we wonder ^ then , that the greatest excitement prevailed—that it was , even to the uninitiatedan occasion of all-absorbing interest ?
, Whatever may have been the expectation * of the most sanguine , they were surpassed by the success of the work . Never was a triumph more complete , © ever a verdict of the public more unanimous . No conventional rule of etiquette Of custom could prevent the assembly from manifesting their feelings of approbation and admiration ; they applauded to the echo , and redemanded many pieces . The manner in which performers and audience joined in the ovation cddld only be the effect of spontaneous enthusiasm . The book of words is written by Mr . W . Bartholomew ; the subject is taken from the first four chapters of the Book of Samuel . There is great dramatic rariety in it ; and though at times this dramatic variety is almost too dramatic
to be sacred ( shall we say , too theatrical to be oratorio-like ?) , still there is * no doubt that it affords ample room for the display of science and invention on the part of the composer—and this , in a libretto of any kind , is a real merit . It Kerned to usjpaevertheless , that there was not a sufficient degree of variety in the separate characters—that , though there was individuality of character , there was not sufficient variety of feeling and emotion . Eli is always devotional ; &a ... ~ remains always a child ; Hannah ( Samuel ' s mother ) is the only character for whjch we feel a lively , varied interest : she is sorrowful at first , Happy and thankful in the end . ? To speak of the merit of each piece of music individually would , to say the feast , be difficult ; and when , as in this case , the public has decided so favourably
and so unanimously , it would be almost superfluous . The Birmingham audience —the same that on this day nine years ago ( 184 G ) decided the fame of Mexxxelssohv ' s Elijah—has now given its approval of Eli : what more need be said ? We hope to have an opportunity of hearing the oratorio performed during the winter season by the Sacred Harmonic Society in London , and we cannot doubt that it will there meet with equal success , and establish a classical renown . The principal parts were sustained by Madame Castellan ( Hannah ) , Madame Viardot ( Samuel ) , Herr Formes ( . Eli ) , and Mr . Sims Reeves CElkanah ) . Besides these , Mr . Weiss took the part of the Man of God , and Herr Reichardt the part of Hophm , and a messenger .
• It may be asked : could the production of Mr . Costa's work have been entrusted to worthier hands , or have been more perfectly executed ? Generally speaking , QO ) individually speaking , yes . A little more precision and better intonation on the part of Herr Formes , and a little more singing and less vociferating oK the part ot Mr . Rkevbs , would have contributed greatly to the general good ejlpct of the concerted music These two artists , great as their popularity is at present , and deservedly so , should remember what is due to the public ; and that a fine voice in one , and a few occasional outbursts in the other , are not sufficient to maintain them in that high position to which they very reasonably aBplre . Already does Mr . Weiss , with his true and artistically-cultivated Voice , slowly , but steadily , progress in public favour , and threaten ultimately to unseat tho great German basso from his somewhat arrogant supremacy .
your heart , or the happy brilliancy with which she soars like a lark into the « kie » , carrying your spirit with her , and delighttag > th # Sotihwithin yotir ~ ~ ' ~~" The pieces repeated by desire of the President , and redemanded by the audience , were , m the first part , the air and chorus , " Let the people praise thee , sung by Herr Formes—a very devotional piece , the melody of which I ° V '; . m the ,, cno « is . "God be merciful unto us ; " the chorus , " The Lord is good , " with an obligate harp accompaniment , in which the sopranos lead the calm , tranquil melody , answered successively in the fugue style ; and the war piece , sung by Mr . Sims Reeves , and the chorus , "Philistines , hark , the trumpet sounding , " with its trumpet flourishes , and fine , spirited coda , " War , war , war against the Israelites ! " which produced an immense sensation , and is certainly one of the most successful pieces in the whole work . In the second part , Samuel ' s morning prayer , " Lord , from my bed again X rise , " exquisitely delivered by Madame Viardot ; the Quartet , « We blesa you in the name of the Lord , " sung by Mesdames Viabdot and Castexlax , Herr Formes and Mr . Reeves , an excellent specimen of four-part writing , which was given with the most finished accuracy ; and the chorus of angels , " No evil shall befal thee , " as peaceful and comforting to the soul as a beatific trance . Nor must it be supposed that these are the only good pieces in the work , or that they are very much better than many other pieces that were not redemanded . The whole oratorio is full of " points " and effects , as beautiful as they are new , as appropriate as they are noble , but which , at the first performance , are apt to pass unobserved , owing either to the profusion of- beauty that surrounds them , or to the wise discretion of the public in not disturbing too often the general effect by indiscriminate applause . Among the pieces that pleased us particularly , we mention the first chorus , " Let us go to ;' pray before the Lord . " The subject is started by the female voices in thirds , and pleasingly and naturally worked in a fugue , finished with the very effective Stretta , " The Earth is the Lord ' s . " " The Ungodly Revel , " in which Eli ' s sons Hophni and Phinekas are carousing with the women in the precincts of the temple , is a most characteristic composition ; it has an obligato tambourine accompaniment , and the imposing tones of the trombones accompanying the priests in then * reproof , "Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning , " interrupting , though not arresting the revel , form , altogether , . a picture as plainly and vividly drawn as the nature and limits of oratorio will allow . But the piece with which we were most delighted is that long scene commencing with the chorus " Hold not thy peace , " continuing to the fugue " So persecute them , " with its " battle" of violins , and concluding with the chorus and former march to the words " God and King of Jacob ' s nation . " We are not afraid to say that this long and elaborate piece is one that would alone make the reputation of the oratorio—that it is a masterpiece of grand conception and immense effect . Another of the fine episodes is SatnueVs air , " This night I lift my head to Thee , " so childlike and religious , such as befits the prayer of the child-prophet ; it is continued where Samuel lies down to sleep with the words " Bless the Lord , O my soul , " with the soft sweet organ tone to the angel ' s words , " The Lord is thy keeper . " Here was an opportunity for inspiration to conceive , for invention to portray ; and wonderfully has the composer succeeded , for during the whole piece the illusion is complete . Nothing could exceed the delicacy with which Madame Viardot gave it ; there is but one word for it—perfection . The chorus , amounting to 160 voices ,, and the band , numbering 340 , forming a total of 500 chosen performers , executed the whole of the music in a manner really marvellous . Admitting that the oratorio was written by Costa—by a man who , of all others , understands how to treat the voices and how to write for the orchestra , how to produce certain effects without overcharging any one instrument or part ; admitting that the whole had been studied under the superintendence and direction of the composer ; and admitting also that the composer was no stranger to either chorus or orchestra , still it was evident that something above the ordinary amount of attention and precision bestowed on general occasions stimulated each one of them , with a desire to contribute his or her mite to the good effect of the whole , to sing and play their best , to do honour to the work of their respected Chief . This only can account for so consummate a performance , and such a tribute of esteem must be as dear a boon to Mr . Costa as the praise and applause of the multitude . The hall was filled by a very fashionable audience , amounting to about seventeen hundred persons- The great event of the festival has now come offgloriously for all concerned in it , not omitting the Committee . Many visitors are already leaving Birmingham by the excursion trains ; two days more , and then we return again to the music of our steam-engines , and the poetry of our furnaces F . B .
. The two ladies were irreproachable . Madame Viahdot had conceived the part of Samuel in a grandly simple and fervent spirit ; she entered deeply into the part , gave her whole soul to it , and may be said to have created the part of Samuel as she has created all thoie great dramatic characters in which she has appeared . Madame Castellan ' s clear , silvery voice and perfect vocalisation were a treat indeed , and told remarkably in the fine hall ; nor do we know which to admire most , the mellow plaintiveness of her tones when she appeals direct to
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• TKBAStmY , August 28 . — Her Majesty has been pleased to appoint the Right Hon . Robert Lowo to bo her Majesty ' s Paymaster-General . TheAxerlky Poultry Snow took place this week . Th © collection of birda was extremely beantiful and interesting , and will no doubt have a beneficial effect upon the different breeds . vA Firm " safe for ant Amount . " —Messrs . Barratt and Wilson , calico-printers of Manchester , having been requested to famish Messrs . J . P . Hull and Co ., shipowners of Liverpool , with goods to the amount pf 647 / ., w « ca referred to the North and South Wales Bank for a character as to solvency . Tho account given by tho Bank , was that tbo Messrs . Hall wore " safo for any business engagement they wore likely to undertake . " 'lse ' ttooaa were furnished , and , in less than a fortnight , tM flrm stopped payment for 22 , 000 / , with assets not likely to yield 6 fl . In tho pound . It then came out that , at 'the time the testimony -was given , tho firm was largoly overdrawn « t tho bank ; that 630 / . subsequently raised on tho shipment of tho goods , had been paid to tho bank in diminution of their d flbt to it { and that they owed two hundred pounds to a previous banker . An action for damages was brought « ptfn » t tho North nnd South Wales Hank ; but tho jury , for , some extraordinary ronuon , found a verdict in ita favour , adding that thoy doturcd to " exonerate" it ! The Kxno ov Aiiyssinia has prohibited slavory , renounced polygamy , banished the Jesultn , nnd ia anxious that some European mechanics , particularly maaonfl , printers , and gunmakera , ahuuld settle in hid country . GioiTVOQATiow having boon adjourned to Thursday , Aujust 80 th , the two House * mot on that day ; but
their proceedings were merely formal , and the Chambers were further prorogued till October the 24 th . Australia . —Tho affairs of the colony of Victoria are not in a satisfactory state . The budget of the Colonial Secretary for 1855 shows a deficit of 600 , 000 / ., and a proposal for additional taxes in the shape of a stamp duty and ten per cent , ad valorem on all imported goods at present free , has been defeated in tho Legislative Council by a resolution that no additional taxes shall be imposed this session . With regard to the Government Bill on the Chinese immigration question , it appears that the plan was to put a tax of ££ . on each Chinaman imported , and to limit ships to bring only one passenger to every ten tons register . The latter clause has been adopted , but the Council has made an alteration in tho former , raising tho sum to 10 / ., which tho Government baa not confirmed . — 7 \ mcs . lSLINOTON LrTKllAUY AND SciRNTIFIC SOCIETY . Mr . W . E . Jenkins , formerly Secretary of the Marylebone Literary and Scientific * Institution , has been elected Librarian of this Society , in tho place of Mr . Joseph Simpson , who has resigned in conscquenco of having embraced a favourable opportunity of going into business at Tunbridgo Wells . It is tho intention of tho Committee and Members to express their very high sonso of Mr . Simpson ' s zealous , fuithful , and valuablo services , during a perio . d of eight years , by presenting him with a handsome testimonial on his departure .
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¦ v ^ v ^ V ^' .- ; -- ' ' ; -- ' '" . ;;' : -. ' ¦¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ . ' :: ' ¦ ¦¦ ¦ • ¦ ¦ . ¦ . '' ¦ ¦¦ . ¦•¦ . . ¦ . ¦•¦¦ ¦¦ .. - . - ¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦" , : ¦ September 1 , 1855 . 1 THE Xi . B-AD . BB . 849
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BIRTHS , MARRIAGES , AND DEATHS . BIRTHS . , .. ne BASSETT . —August 20 , at Leighton Buzzard , tiio wife of Francis Bassctt , Esq . ; three daughters . MOS 1 SLEY . —August 20 , tho lady of Goorgo Moseley , J > sq .. M . U . C . S .: twins prematurely . _ Augustus PEE I ..-August 2 « . at Starcrosa , Devon , Mrs . Augustus Pool : a son , stillborn . MEAIWS-ROmVKft *™^* » JVjJ ™ g * °$ * i ' C ^^ VSist ^' rAX ^ a ^ w ^? te » i ttYTwVBiv ^ OHT -August 18 th . at Genova , bo-HSaK « sM of Genova ,.
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FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE . Tuesday , August ' 2 B . BANKRUPTS . —George Sixto Bayi . ey , Crown-court , Pliilpot-liino , oonimiwHion ogout , - Joskimi nfrr . i . RR , Piccadilly , IlMlnuoiiKor—John Wish , Bournemouth , Hampshire , coal inorolmni —Edward Fiumin E . llis , 1 lato of JUention ,
and Royal Exchange-buildings , stockbroker—Thomas Edward Shales , Brighton , linendraper—Samuel Jennings , jun ., Gos well-street , carver aud gilder— "Robert Waxl , Piccadilly , saddler—Ellis Cutlan , Newport , Monmouth * shire , cabinetmaker—Edward Roberts , Stretford , Lancashire , licensed victualler . SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONa—W . Skinner , Glasgow , builder—A . Morton , Kilmaruock , manufacturer— D . Smith , Leitb , shipping agent . Friday , August SI . BANKRUPTS . — William Taylor , Gloucester , hardware dealer- Andrew Dempster , Liverpool , stonemason and builder—Join * Strong , jun ., Birkenhead . steamboat owner—Iskakl Cowan and Made Braham , Alag&te Highstreet , waterproof clothing manufacturers — Benjamin Burlington Walk and George Charles Da we , Chancery-lane , buildcrs—jAMEB Bueqtji Gough , River-terrace , Islington , timber merchant—William Mortimer . Morley . Yorkshire , cloth manufacturer— Thomas Banks , Bradford , washing , wringing , and mangling machino maker—William Charles Hollan p , Lincoln , grocer—Thomab Apakson and Henry Hvnter . Bell , Sunderland , curriers and leather cutters . SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS . —Ajlbxajndbr Cfmming . Iuvcrness-shiro , farmer—John Bxan , Now Cuuinock , innkeeper .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 1, 1855, page 849, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2104/page/21/
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