The "Thursday Concert" of this week was very similar to
the pre- vious one which we have already noticed. There were some fine old madrigals, admirably sung by the numerous and well-trained choir; several Italian and English songs, chosen with judgment, and sung by the Misses Pyne, Madame Parepa, Mr. Swift, and Mr. Bodda ; brilliant pianoforte performances by Miss Goddard ; and several orchestral pieces played by the band of one of the regiments of Guards. Madame Parepa is a native of this country, but has passed the greater part of her life in Italy, where she has held a high rank on the opera stage : we have fre- quently observed her name mentioned with distinction in the Italian journals. It is difficult to judge of a first appearance under the disad- vantage of nervous timidity ; but this lady, though not a powerful bra- vura singer, has a very pure Italian style, and the refined execution of a genuine artist.
The introduction of a full military band into these concerts is a mis- take, especially for the performance of music for a stringed orchestra. It is impossible to replace violins, violoncellos, and double basses, by elari- nets, bassoons, trombones, and ophicleides. Under a roof, moreover, the performance is too bruyant ; the ear is oppressed by the weight of brass. A small but select stringed baud would scarcely be more expensive, and would be much more useful.
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