5 
The full strength of the organisation is 93 men and a'certain number of boys, 
nearly all the members being the sons of soldiers, taken for six months on appro¬ 
bation at an early age, and taught two instruments, one wind and one string. 
While the strength of the band seems to be great, it is really small consider¬ 
ing the size of the Regiment and the many duties it has to perform. Its regular 
engagement comprise a series of 19 weekly orchestral concerts during each 
winter , and spring, four of which take place in St. James’s Hall. During the 
summer months the band plays twice weekly on Woolwich Common ; whenever 
called upon attends garrison balls and theatricals, cricket and polo matches, and 
sends a detachment to mounted parades. Besides all this, it visits various Royal 
Artillery stations to give concerts and performances as required, and sometimes 
is divided into three parts for duty at three simultaneous “ functions.” Three 
hours of every morning are given up to rehearsal, and once a week the orchestral 
band provides music for “guest night ” at the Woolwich Mess. It is clear from 
these particulars that Cavaliere Zavertal and his men have not many hours of 
idleness * also that the strength of the band is by no means in excess of the 
demands upon it. No more active musical organisation exists in the Kingdom, 
nor, we venture to say, is there one more clearly entitled to the favourable con¬ 
sideration of the military authorities or of the public, to gratify whom, it so 
largely labours. 
The concert given on Triday afternoon was attended by a full house, and had in 
its programme a very interesting piece entitled “In a Trance,” the work of the 
conductor. If anyone present went to St. James’s Hall with an idea that allow¬ 
ance would have to be made for military musicians he must have been pleasantly 
surprised. The Royal Artillery orchestra has a right to be heard anywhere, 
and to play anything, on precisely the same conditions as any other band. It 
is qualified to take rank among the best, and entitled to be judged by the highest 
standard. This was proved again and again on Friday, especially by its per¬ 
formance of the more delicate selections, the rendering of “ In a Trance,” the 
Mascagni intermezzo, &c., being as refined and pure as even a fastidious taste 
could desire. In short, the concert gave nothing but pleasure, and reflected the 
utmost credit upon Cavaliere Zavertal and his accomplished subordinates. At the 
next performance (December 2nd) a symphony by Weber will be played, together 
with the overtures to “ Tannhauser ” and “ A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” 
THE TIMES.—November 19 th . 
A decidedly successful concert was given in St. James’s Hall yesterday after¬ 
noon by the splendid band of the Royal Artillery, under the clever bandmaster, 
Cavaliere L. Zavertal, who has brought the orchestra into a high state of pro¬ 
ficiency. The way in which Schubert’s “Unfinished” Symphony was played 
was quite surprising, since the delicate passages received as full justice as the 
more obvious and vigorous sections. Bizet’s Suite from the music to Daudet’s 
“ L’Arlesienne ” was the only other work of considerable length. The unisonous 
opening for strings was played with most remarkable precision and vigour, the 
lovely adagietto 'with much tenderness of expression, and the characteristic 
carillon with great effect. In Liszt’s difficult “ Rhapsody, No. 1 in F,” the skill 
of various individual performers was displayed to advantage. The march in 
“ Tannhauser,” the inevitable intermezzo from “ Cavalleria,” and the overture to 
“ Mign.on ” were also given, as well as a graceful piece by the conductor, called 
f In a Trance.” 
MUSICAL TIMES.—Eecember 1st. 
On the 18th ult. a Concert (the third of the year) was given by this famous 
band, under the direction of Cavaliere Zavertal, at St, James’s Hall, Though, 
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