190 
MUSIC AT HOME. 
[Nature mid Art, November 1, I860. 
compensate for the absence of that “soul” or ex- 
pression which is their great characteristic, and in 
executants of ten, twelve, fourteen, or “ some six- 
teen summers,” how can that intensity of feeling be 
expected 2 If pianoforte playing be simply a 
matter of digital dexterity, then are the perform- 
ances of some recently discovered instrumental 
stars faultless ; but individuals yet abound who are 
not transported to the seventh heaven by mere 
mechanical execution, or strength without quality of 
tone: Absence of mind is common enough in every- 
thing — pianoforte playing included, — but is much 
to be regretted in the latter department of musical 
art. A “ Mdlle.,” native or foreign (for plain 
English “ Miss ” is now an obsolete barbarism), may 
play with forty-metronome-power regularity, and at 
an express pace, but this is not sufficient in the 
interests of music, however efficacious it may be 
in securing applause. The comparative absence of 
expression, which quality is as rare in young in- 
strumentalists as four-leaved shamrocks are in 
Irish meadows, is easily accounted for. Until the 
feelings and passions of an individual are matured 
and developed, he cannot enter into the spirit of 
music, or poetry written by one who has attained 
that period of existence. A girl or boy of ten years 
might be taught to sing Beethoven's “ Adelaida 
but a young man or maiden of twenty would give 
a much better reading of that immortal love song. 
Nature does this much, and upon Nature we must 
wait. 
The changes have been frequently rung upon 
juvenile performers during the last two or three 
years, and Mr. Alfred Mellon lias generally been 
able to satisfy this craving of the public. He gave 
us Mdlle. Marie Krebs, and she gives us Men- 
delssohn’s Capriccio Brillante in B Minor in her 
own peculiar manner. Mdlle. Krebs is feted 
beyond all reason, and it is to be hoped will not 
allow herself to be carried away by the ridiculous 
applause which seems to have grown into a fashion. 
So clever a pianiste may be reminded that rapidity 
is not everything desirable ; and that mere gabble is 
objectionable even on a pianoforte. Contemporary 
with this prime youthful favourite there have been, 
Emilia Arditi, and Bertha and Emma Dreschler 
Hamilton, violinists ; Master Bonnay, xylophonist, 
and Mad Tom, the sable pianist. These are inde- 
pendent of certain leaders of the opposition at less 
pretentious places than Covent Garden Theatre ; 
for the Oxford-street Hall of Music has its young 
xylophonist, by name Delepierre, and her sister de- 
voted to the violin. Touching the latter instrument, 
Mr. Alfred Mellon’s youngest professor thereof — 
Master Emile Sauret — is a shining instance of 
genuine and premature talent. From the mass of 
mediocrity sometimes emerges a specimen of real 
cleverness ; and of all the benignant Mellon’s pro- 
teges, Master E. Sauret is the best. 
Classical nights on the old principle, when one 
composer’s works fill the first part ; 'mixed classical 
on the new plan, when homage is done to several 
stars of bygone days ; together with German, 
Gounod, Verdi, and volunteer festivals have 
alternated. Levy of the cornet- a-pis ton has re- 
turned ; Signor Bottesini has done likewise ; Mr. 
C. Coote has produced a new valse : Herr Meyer 
Lutz’s “ Lemuel ” waltz, now withdrawn, has been 
much and justly admired. It is unconventional, and 
the more refreshing that its best strain does not come 
first. Mdlle. Carlotta Patti’s attempts at ballad- 
singing have been accepted with more satisfaction 
than ever. Mr. Harry Sanderson’s name is last “ on 
the blazing scroll of fame,” as a pianist, and is likely 
to remain so, especially while he plays his own 
arrangements. He is not singular in putting such 
a lovely melody as Bellini’s “ A te, o cara,” to the 
torture on a pianoforte, and completely destroy- 
ing its vocal character ; neither is he alone in 
sacrificing pathos and tenderness to a coarse kind 
of “noise and fury signifying - nothing.” Those 
who astonish the masses will inevitably please them 
at the same time, and the creed which certifies, as 
the best players, those who make the most noise, 
lias still many believers. Madame Patey-Wliytock, 
one of the most legitimate singers of the day, will 
find her position more secure from her sojourn at 
“ Mellon’s.” Mr. Henry Corri is again in the 
concert world, and Avill appear in the conductor’s 
new- operetta at Christmas. 
Mdlle. Sophie Angeline, a feminine flautist, 
played on September 15th; and on the 17th, Herr 
Wilhelmj, a violinist of extraordinary acquirements, 
made a “very palpable hit.” Little Emile Sauret 
performed Mendelssohn’s violin concerto, from 
memory, on the 20th. Some comparatively un- 
known compositions have been introduced on the 
classical nights, — Mozart’s Fugue in C Minor, for 
stringed instruments, to wit, and the promenaders 
are conciliated with a new selection from Mose in 
Egitto. 
The lyre of Sydenham is no longer silent. Apollo 
Manns commenced a new series of winter concerts 
on October 6th. 
At Drury Lane The Beggars' Opera has been 
revived ; Mr. W. Harrison, whose strong point 
now appears to be robust comedy, being the Captain 
Macheath, and Madame Jenny Bauer (with a ri- 
diculous variation upon “Cease your Funning”) 
the Polly Peachum. We are informed that Her 
Majesty’s Theatre will open this month for a short 
opera season, with Mdlle. Titiens and Mr. Santley 
as leading stars. 
