"THE CREATION.'

Press, Volume XV, Issue 1989, 31 August 1869, Page 2

"THE CREATION.'

TO THB KDITOE OF THE PRESS. Sib, —I would wish, through your valuable columns, to make some remarks on a critique whioh appeared in your evening contemporary with reference to the recent performance of " The Creation." Aβ impartiality ia the true soul of criticism, the critique in question seems a departure therefrom. The ** Star," while damning with faint praise Mr Packer's conductorehip, as too "meohanioal"—a faot that I do not admit—names "the difficulties under which the performers were brought together," forgetful that conduotorsbip under such "difficulties" would necessarily be so, the confidence between conductor and orchestra not being established by long experience of each other, a sine qua non which is self evident. I would only notice in refutation of the laok of energy in the conductor, the manner in which he picked up the concluding portion of the chorus "The Heavens are telling." If the society were only fortunate enough to obtain the services of this gentleman, everyone would be confident as to the result. I entirely endorse the remarks on the leadership of Herr Bunz, who most ably assisted the conduotor in the acceleration of time when needed, the prevalent fault of amateur performances of this kind being a tendency to drag the time. The performance of Mrs Hamilton on the piano, without too much promiuence, materially assisted the orchestra in their steadinees, for which I cannot too highly com* mend them. In reference to the choruses I entirely agree with the critique in the " Star," as to inequality in power between soprani and bassi and alti and tenari. The chorus "Achieved is the glorious work" was taken too fast; with this exception, making all allowance for the email number of performers, the right time was taken; in Exeter Hall five hundred trained performers satisfy the listener's ear with muoh slower time, the volume of sound filling up the deficiency. With reference to the bass recitatives and solos I would say that in both instances they lacked somewhat in the necessary strict adherenoe to the music as written, likewise in refinement. With the exception of the unlooked-for breakdown of Mr Appleby, I would compliment the tenors on their efficiency; Mr Price rendered the air, "Now vanish before the holy beams," moet credits* bly ; the commencement of the allegro, " Dismayed the host of hell's dark spirits fly," was taken with considerable confidence and power, considering the difficulty of the passage. I trespass too much on your valuable space if I mention more than Mr Thompson's solo, "In native worth." It i was only the singer's want of the great power requisite for the first portion of this solo that was wanting ; in the latter portion " With fondness" his voice was perfectly equal to the occasion—throughout he sang in excellent style. I have departed from the well recognised rule of giving place to the ladies, but it is only natural to reserve our best to the last. I cannot refrain from paying a tribute of praise to the alti, who showed by the certainty of their time how good they were; they only required more power to make them most effective, I would notice particularly the talent exhibited by the lady soloists, both in " The marvellous work," in which Mrs Lloyd's C was distinctly heard above the chorus, and in the most difficult of the solos " On mighty pens," she acquitted herself most admirably; the last-mentioned air showing the great power and flexibility of her voice. The recitative "And God said let the earth," was sung somewhat nervously by Mrs C. Harper, but in the air " With verdure clad," she forgot herself and became the true artiste; this solo was beautifully rendered, the rune showing that cultivation of voice in which Mrs C Harper excels. In the duet, " Graceful consort," I would say that she was powerfully bat rather ungracefully supported. In the trio, "On Thee each living soul awaits," Miss A. Loughnan had to contend with a tendency to drag fee aofcompaaunen£«

on the part of the orchcetra: this »;n doubt be rectified j she sang hi Jih » c great taste, and executed her rune w i* markable neatness. U!l f*«

The duett, "By Thee with bli M •• given by Mrs L. Harper with eroafc of voico,in which she waa afiy.eS?? , the Rev Mr Lin*»rd. In the inSf and solo, Mrs L. Harper distingui 9 h fc by her refined taste. I wouU conclude k noticing some unsteadinoss in tho hit «v, y "Sing the Lord, ye voices all ,» doubt owing to the want of practice. I am, &0., W. H. 8, [This letter should hnvo appeared in a yesterday's issue—Ed. Phsbs.] ° 5?