THE SACRED CONCERT.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 569, 15 April 1876, Page 3

THE SACRED CONCERT.

On Friday the company gave a sacred concert, which, musically speakiag, was a success, bnt pecuniarily the reverse. I think if the management would take a leaf out of the books of our American cousins in the matter of advertising they would find a change in the state of things. The first p r ece comprised Rossini s "Stabat Mater," in which Madame Simousen, Miss Lambert, Signor Morley and Mr Richardson had solos. Without particularising the numbers which were successfully rendered, I may say generally that the performance was a very good one indeed. Of one or two items in the second part, which was composed of selections from the works of the great masters, I must say a word. Madame Simonsen sang Handel's beautiful " Angels ever bright and fair" splendidly, but the gem of her solos was the hymn " Praise to the Lord," in which the full, clear notes of her voice were heard to great advantage. This was a most artistic performance, as also was Mr Simonsen's violin obligato, which wai something to remember. Pure, delicate,

and sympathetic to a degree, his rendering of this beautiful piece of instrumentation was such a treat as one rarely gets. Mr Foßter, who played the accompaniments throughout the concert in a masterly manner, also deserves credit for his playing in this piece. Miss Lambert displayed the rich full notes of her voice fully in " O rf st in the Lord," although the orchestra went away at a rare pace, In the trio from " Elijah," though there was a little unsteadiness, Miss Lambert sang very artistically and well. Signor Morley's contributions to this part were " In native worth " and a grand air, " Salutaris." The first of these was really splendidly sung, and gave our amateurs a lesson which they ought to profit by. The "Salutaris" was also very well rendered, and deserved the encore it received. The air from the " Messiah," allotted to Mr Richardson, seemed to be rather too much for him ; but still he sang the music carefully and well. Mr Hallis' trumpet obligata was very good, the rur* being clearly and decidedly taken, and the whole piece played in a manner that shows him to be a thorough master of his instrument. Messrs Stcinbach and Hodgeoa sang a duet from " Mass No 1" very creditably. " The Hallelujah Chorus," well sung, concluded the programme, and I must express my surprise that out of the whole audience in the dress circle only two or three rose when the chorus was commenced. Such a hing, I may say, has never before occurred here, and I am at a loss to account for it now.