DR. spotlit AND THE NORWICH FESTIVAL COMMITTEE. TO THE EDITOR
OP THE SPECTATOR.
Stoke Ferry, Norfolk, 15th December 1842.
SIR—Some time before the late Norwich Festival, you allowed me to state what had passed between me, as the agent of its Committee, and SPOEIR, with reference to the production of his Oratorio The Fall of Babylon; and the kindness with which he acceded to my request that it might be brought out at Norwich, as well as the liberality with which he placed the MS. score in my hands without a stipulation or condition of any sort, way be in the recollection of some of your readers.
You have narrated the events of the Norwich Festival, and among them, the performance of this Oratorio, on the merits of which all competent judges seem to have agreed. Will you now allow me to bring the narration to a close ; for I think the whole transaction is so honourable to both parties, as well as satisfactory in its result, that it deserves to be put upon record. Each party acted with the most perfect reliance on the honour and good faith of the other, and the event has proved with sufficient reason. SPODE 'S conduct was that of a generous, noble, and confiding spirit ; and that of the Committee met and re- ciprocated it with the courtesy and liberality of English gentlemen.
At the first meeting of the Committee after the termination of the Pesti the following resolution was unanimously passed. " Resolved, That the Committee being fully impressed with the convictiot that the success of the late Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festival is in a gre t measure to be attributed to the performance of The Fall of Babylon, are desirous of expressing in the strongest terms their feeling of gratitude to its illustrious author for his generous confidence in intrusting the production of this Oratorio to their care : in token whereof, the Committee request Dr. Spore's acceptance of the sum of one hundred guineas, with their best wishes for his health and prosperity."
At the request of the Committee, I conveyed this resolution to SPORE; and a few days since received the following reply, acknowledging its receipt, and that of various newspapers and other journals which contained accounts of the Festival.
[Titawscarion.] Cassel. 8th December 1842.
" My honoured Friend—You and your dear family have rejoiced us with such various accounts of the Norwich Festival, and sent us so many welcome reminiscences of it, that I know not where to begin, nor to whom first to ad- dress my thanks. Receive them, therefore, in pleno ; and be assured that these interesting documents are the best consolation for the bitter disappointment we had to experience. " You will conceive how much I was gratified by the various accounts of the performance of my Oratorio, and especially by the enthusiasm with which these speak of the various members of the Orchestra. How deeply do I feel indebted to them and to you! Equally gratifying was the criticism which the journals gave, and the opinion they expressed on the merits of the Oratorio; especially considering that I was placed in the perilous situation of being near to Handel.
" I was surprised at the minuteness of their analysis, and the correctness with which they appear to have entered into my feelings and discovered my in- tentions; for I could have scarcely supposed it possible that a single hearing would have sufficiently developed these. In one word, I am thoroughly happy that the work has found such success in England, and can only wish that it may be equalled here. " I am greatly obliged by the resolution of the Norwich Committee—by the kind and flattering sentiments which it expresses, and by the rich present with which it is accompanied. Will they allow me, as I am unable to express myself in English, to make you the medium of conveying to them my beat thanks and good wishes.
" With the heartiest greetings to all the members of your family,
" I am your assured friend, Louis SPOIIII."
As this is the only opportunity that has offered itself, may 1 be allowed to avail myself of it to add my humble thanks to every member of the Orchestra for the zeal as well as the ability they displayed on this occasion. During the last forty years I have witnessed many first rehearsals and first perform- ances; but I never saw such a spirit of eager and unremitted attention, and of an ardent and enthusiastic desire to do their best,on the part of an entire band. To this feeling, which the conductor of such a composition alone can fully ascertain and appreciate, must be attributed the admirable performance of the Oratorio; in which I was unable from first to last to detect an error.
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