136 THE MUSICIAN ABOUT TOWN. 



A Madlle. De Riviere, a vocalist of the French school, also 

 made her first appearance upon this occasion. She possesses a clear, 

 bell-like tone, and (speaking from recollection) a correct ear ; but 

 her delivery, and manner altogether, v^^ere unfeelingly mechanical 

 and correct. 



At this concert Herr David confirmed the opinion we entertained 

 of his talent upon the previous evening. He sustained in a mas- 

 terly manner the first violin in the fine ottetto of Spohr ; the 

 slow movement to which is one of the most lovely melodies, and 

 most beautifully treated that ever came from the pen of the com- 

 poser ; and the finale to it, perhaps, one of his most original. An 

 introduction and Russian air varied, performed by Herr David in 

 the second act, although bearing throughout the impress of a good 

 musician, was nevertheless inferior in point of merit to his first 

 composition. The constant repetition of these " airs varies" may 

 possibly dispose us to contemplate them with a half indifference. 



At the fifth concert young Bennett played his piano forte con- 

 certo in F minor ; a work upon which we have heretofore dwelt 

 with considerable satisfaction. This was its first performance at 

 the Philharmonic. In the second act we were introduced to a 

 young violoncellist, Mons. Batta, a Belgian of high reputation on 

 the continent. For strength and richness of tone we have, and we 

 know no higher standard than those of Mr. Lindley. None of the 

 solo players from abroad, that we have heard of late years, are able 

 to compete with our countryman upon this point ; and the reason 

 appears to be, that since the object in modern violoncello playing is 

 to sacrifice body and quality of tone to execution, this is accom- 

 plished by using strings of less diameter ; for it would be miracu- 

 lous that any player should execute the same passages we heard 

 from Mons. Batta's instrument with Lindley's bow and strings. 

 The result, therefore, is, that we have a thin tone, too nearly ap- 

 proaching to that of a viola, with extraordinary execution ; and 

 upon this point, with the mastery of his bowing, we accord to 

 Mons. Batta unqualified applause. They who are contented with 

 what Lindley can accomplish upon his instrument (and it cannot be 

 denied that it is sufficient for every purpose short of extravagant 

 execution), will compound for legerdemain, that they may possess 

 the rich and legitimate tone of the violoncello. 



A Madlle. Lewig, pupil of the late Ferdinand Ries, performed a 

 concerto of her master's at the sixth concert. The young lady is a 

 showy player, but an indifferent timist. Having already had a 



