-588 MUSIC, THEATRICALS, &C. 



been so fairly earned. Since then she has alternated the parts of 

 Amina, in the Somnambula, and Leonora, in Fidelio. Notwith- 

 standing the incomparable superiority of Beethoven's music over 

 Donizetti's, the first part suits her better than the second. In the 

 prison scene in Fidelio, where most vigour is wanted, she fails a little, 

 either from her physical powers being exhausted or from the music 

 being rather too high for her voice, and so straining the upper notes. 

 On the following Saturday, Grisi invited comparison by performing 

 the part of the fair Sleep-walker. In drawing a parallel between these 

 two accomplished singers, it must not be forgotten that at the King's 

 Theatre Grisi was supported by Rubini and Tamburini, while of 

 Malibran it may be said that she had no support at all — indeed she 

 needed none. 



There is a simplicity and freedom from affectation, a natural 

 character about Grisi which always reaches the heart; and though we 

 cannot but allow the palm to her competitor in all the acquired 

 graces of art, and even in the necessary organ of a singer — the voice, 

 yet the touching pathos and light-hearted gaiety of the prima donna of 

 the Haymarket go far towards preventing us from awarding the 

 first place to her rival. Let each be heard, and the performance of 

 each will give the very highest pleasure, though perhaps of a different 

 character. Rubini sang his song in his usual florid style, but yet 

 so admirably that we could scarcely find fault with him for the 

 superabundance of ornament he bestowed upon it. Grisi had 

 previously made her debut as an English singer at the Ancient 

 Concert, and delighted us by the manner in which she sang, " Let 

 the bright Seraphim,'' a pleasure not a little enhanced by the 

 magnificent trumpet accompaniment of Harper. 



The musical novelties of the month are Mr. Thalbery on the piano- 

 forte, and Mr. Ole Bull on the violin. 



The former surprised us not a little by his mechanical dexterity, 

 playing a melody with the fourth finger of the right hand, a ground 

 base w^ith the left, and filling up the harmony with the spare 

 fingers. After all, this andother equally surprising "tours de force" 

 are more astonishing than agreeable, and we confess we prefer 

 the plain straight-forward playing of John Cramer or Hummel, to 

 all the tricks of Mr. Thalbery. Mr. Ole Bull is a surprisingly fine 

 player on the violin, without the Charlatanism of Paganini, but not 

 possessing his genius or experience. We would rather hear De Beriot 

 than either. 



Among the concert singers of the day, Mrs. H. Shaw stands pre- 

 eminent. The mellowness and purity of her voice, the correctness of 

 her intonation, united v?ith great feeling and power of expression, 

 combine in forming as near an approach to perfection as we can well 

 imagine. Those who heard her sing, " He shall feed his flock,'' at 

 Exeter Hall, when the Messiah was performed, will not easily forget 

 the sensation she caused, and all that she does, if not of the same 

 degree of excellence, is at least near akin to it. 



Theatricals. — Macready has transferred his services from Drury 

 Lane toCovenlGarden. We are sorry that such a change should have been 

 the result of vexatious and illiberal conduct on the part of Mr. Bunnand 



