2 
Visit of a Musical Amateur to the Metropolis. [Aug. 1, 
others? Is it, that we have lost Kean 
and O’Neill; or does the taste for the 
drama decline ? No: —the theatres are 
too large for the purpose'; not half the 
company can discern the motions of 
the countenance which depict the pas¬ 
sions. If the cheeks were not painted 
a tremendous red, and the nose a spark¬ 
ling white, the features of the face 
would not be seen in the farthest 
boxes; but music can be heard as 
well by the remotest listener as the 
nearest, and often with a better effect: 
besides, a taste for music is rapidly 
increasing, and we like to go and hear 
that well done, which is a favourite 
pursuit with ourselves. I should not 
have been so well satisfied with the 
opera of Artaxerxes, had not I heard 
Dirce the night before, the recitation 
of which was drawled cut in the com¬ 
mon-place modulation of a parish 
clerk. Artaxerxes is now becoming 
old-fashioned, and may be said to be 
almost wholly destitute of the graceful 
inflexions of modern melody. Many 
of its ornaments are as quaint as the 
lace and ruffles of the last century. 
Much has been said of the talents of 
Miss Wilson, who performs Mandane, 
—she certainly is pretty, sprightly, and 
engaging; but she possesses not that 
volume of tone and clear articulation, 
which are indispensable requisites in a 
great singer. Her animation is consi¬ 
derable, but in many instances ill di¬ 
rected. Her long holding notes, and 
occasional bursts, are instances of a 
mistaken effort to achieve that which 
should be sought with more feeling and 
art. Her enunciation in recitative lies 
too much upon the teeth and nose : in 
this particular there is a striking con¬ 
trast in the superior manner of the de¬ 
lightful Madame Vestris. Nature has 
certainly done more for Miss Wilson 
as an actress than a singer. 
The great attraction at Drury-Lane 
is Mr. Braham; but it is to be la¬ 
mented that he should so often address 
himself to the gallery. No one sings so 
well and so ill: in his 44 metza voce ” he 
is graceful and enchanting, and always 
in tune. When he sings the least, he 
sings the best; but in pouring forth the 
44 mighty strain” intended for the gods, 
he often outrages the feelings of mortals 
below. 
ORATORIOS. 
In this theatre are given the ora¬ 
torios under the direction of Sir G. 
Smart, which are certainly the great¬ 
est musical treat open to the public. 
Sir G. never fails to set before his au¬ 
dience rarities of the first kind, and 
often at considerable cost. Mr. Kiese- 
wether made his first appearance 
upon the violin, and exhibited very 
singular aud masterly powers. His 
style is purely German, dark and for¬ 
cible ; he has none of the glitter of 
Vaecari or Mori, but he has the strength, 
of Yanieivitz^ and the pplisli of Baillot. 
It is worthy of remark, that the pupils 
of the new school are good composers, 
as well as great performer’s. Mr. Lind- 
ley and the piano-forte Cramer may be 
mentioned as instances where the finest 
practical talents are constantly exhi¬ 
bited in music of the most common¬ 
place order. 
At these nerformances, we are first 
presented with the new choral compo¬ 
sitions of the day—the Seasons, the 
Mount of Olives, the oratorio of Judah, 
&c. Notwithstanding the orchestra 
is numerous and well chosen, there 
wants that weight of sound in the loud 
and magnificent parts, which is neces¬ 
sary to the production of the sublime. 
A theatre, from having no ceiling above 
the stage, is ill adapted for such per¬ 
formances, as more than half the sound 
is lost. Liverpool and Manchester have 
their Music Halls; but the Metropolis 
is without an edifice in which the so¬ 
lemnities of oratorio music can he dis¬ 
played. The Concerts form a most 
distinguished part of the musical sea¬ 
son : there are not less than fifty given 
from January to June, in which all the 
talent of the country is engaged.—The 
first is the Ancient, or King’s Concert, 
which was established a century ago. 
It is conducted by twelve noblemen, 
who direct in turn, aud no composition 
is allowed to be performed of a more 
recent date than fifty years, under tiie 
penalty of 5001. The orchestra is most 
ably conducted by Mr. Greatorex, who 
communicates to the choir that fire and 
spirit which Mr. Bates first introduced 
into the grand performances at the Ab¬ 
bey. The Vocal Concerts are open to 
the public; and though the Materiel of 
which they are formed is the same as 
the Ancient, yet it has been found ne¬ 
cessary to consult the public taste, and 
to introduce the modern compositions 
of the day. These concerts will suffer 
much by the death of Mr. Bartleman : 
there is no one left that can at all vie 
with him in sentiment or manner. 
Mr. Bellamy is at present his only suc¬ 
cessor; but surely this gentleman can¬ 
not be aware of the inelegant way in 
wliich 
