THE HANDEL
FESTIVAL
All
who were at Whites Room on Wednesday evening, at least all who are senible of the potent influence of that devinest
science which
takes the prisoned soul
And laps it in Elysium,
Must
have enjoyed no inconsiderable treat. The very occasion an In Memorium to
the genius of Handel, to whom belongs, par
excellence, the fame of having clothed Christian verities in grandest tones
was attractive and congenial; while the thought that the tribute of
admiration was being paid on the very day on which a hundred years before the
soul of that mighty musician passed to the quiristry
of eternity spread a diapason of deep and solemn feeling beneath the more
pleasing emotions which the intention of the evening awakened.
.
.
Prior
to any remarks of a critical character, we may state that at the orchestral end
of the room, and towering above the most elevated of the choir, was a very well
executed painting of the immortal musician, so painted as to present to the
eye, the appearance of a statue.
.
.
The
total number of the choir was close upon 70. The following is a list of the
instrumentalist performers with the instruments which they severally played
upon:- Violins Chapman, White, Lower, King, Schrader; viola Schrader;
violoncellos Lillywhite, Allen, Marshall; double
bass Betteridge, Schrader; flutes Proctor,
Spiller; clarionets Heydecke,
Sumpse, Clisby; harmonium
Light; saxe horns Vincent, Wheatley; cornopean
Wheatley.
.
.
Mr
Linger was the conductor and Mr Chapman leader. While Mr
Daniel filled the important office of choralmaster
for the occasion.
The
oratorio selected was the Messiah, the greatest of all Handels
composition
.
.
To
the instrumentalists generally too much praise can hardly be given when it is
considered that they are all amateurs; and foremost among them is Mr Chapman,
the leader, whose violin playing would be no disgrace to the best orchestra in
the world. Mr Jarvis, tenor violin, also deserves honourable mention. The
number of persons in attendance at both concerts has amounted to nearly a
thousand, and the sum likely to be realised over and above all expenses is, we
understand about ₤70.
The Obsever,