THE MUSICIAN ABOUT TOWN. 143 



she sang Haydn's " With verdure" — all purity and poetical descrip- 

 tion ; Bellini's '* Casta Diva" — full of noble self-assertion, indignant 

 remonstrance, and fluctuating passion; and the national airs of 

 " Bonnie Prince Charlie" (this song was given at the desire of 

 Prince Frederick of Prussia, who honoured the festival with his pre- 

 sence) and " God save the Queen ;" which last, when vehemently 

 encored, she sang in German. 



We had the delight of hearing Mendelssohn play his celebrated 

 concerto in d minor — the one which he composed for the Birming- 

 ham festival in 1837 ; and it is with no disparagement to the three 

 eminent professors whom we have heard play this piece in England, 

 viz : Mrs. Anderson, Mad. Dulcken, and Mr. Moscheles, when we 

 say, that it is only its composer who can render it full justice. His 

 touch is quite perfect : the utmost delicacy and polish are combined 

 with an equal vigour, clearness, and precision. 



On the Tuesday and Wednesday there were races given, at which 

 the Prince Frederick, the Prince of Strelitz, and the whole of the 

 court were present. On the latter day the Prince gave a dinner to 

 the whole of the artists who had contributed so much to the public 

 gratification ; and in the evening there was a ball prepared in the 

 concert room for the towns people, at which the royal party appeared 

 for a short time. 



The orchestra upon this occasion consisted of 126 sopranos ; 62 

 altos ; 106 tenors ; 134 basses, making 428 voices. The instru- 

 mentalists were, 67 violins ; 22 violas ; 22 violoncellos ; 12 double 

 basses ; 6 flutes ; 4 oboes ; 4 clarinets ; 4 bassoons ; 1 ophicleide ; 

 4 horns ; 4 trumpets ; 1 bass trumpet, and 4 trombones : 155 in- 

 struments, which, with the 2 conductors, and chorus masters com- 

 prised an orchestra of 586 performers. 



