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Tan Saturday afternoons at the Crystal Palaceincrease steadily in deserved popularity. On Saturday last, Herr 3Ianns had the honour of introducing to an English audience Meyerbeer's march for the coronation of the Sing of Prussia, and although the concert-room had been greatly enlarged for the occasion, hundreds of visitors had to be content with what they could hear from the seats in front of the Handel orchestra and the galleries out- side the building. The forces under Herr Manna, too, had been largely increased, and including a band of wind instruments and drums (to carry out the original intentions of the composer) stationed in the side balcony, numbered over 100 performers. The expectations of the public were of course raised to the highest pitch with regard to M. Meyerbeer's composi- tinn, and the superb opening performance of Beethoven's symphony in C minor scarcely received the approbation it deserved. After the sisters Marchisio had sung the lovely duet from Rossini's "Stabat Mater"—" Quis eat homo qui non floret"—the piice de resistance of the concert was given. Though not rivalling the more ambitious character of the overture for the opening of the Exhibition, the Coronation March partakes to a great extent of the instrumental pomp and grandeur in which N. Meyerbeer excels. Its principal features are a broad and majestic opening, which, though possessing those qualities, reminds one strongly of " Partant pour la Syrie ;" a melodious trio, somewhat in the style of that in the Exhibition overture; a series of most effective "responses" by the large orchestra to themes started by the smaller band in the gallery, and a fitting climax in the shape of a magnificent setting of the Prussian National Air—" Ich bin em n Prusse." At the conclusion, the applause which rose from the immense audience was tremendous, and gradually subsided into steady and prolonged calls for " Meyerbeer," who seemed somewhat loth to make his appearance. At length, however, he yielded to the universal wish, and was led by Herr Matins into the orchestra, amid anovation which even surpassed in warmth any of his previous receptions in England.
Of course the repetition of the March was a matter of necessity, and afforded no less delight to the audience than its first performance. The sisters Marchisio then sang two duets—" Di quai soave," from Pedal's Be°, being one, and the other, it is unnecessary to add, " Giorno d'orrore" —and Weber's Jubilee overture brought the most interesting concert of the present season to a close. For Saturday next, being the day of the Grand Flower Show, Herr Manna announces a repetition of the Coronation March, and both Meyerbeer's and A.uber's Exhibition overtures. The second "Soldiers' Concert" of the National Choral Society took place on Wednesday, and the space allotted to the soldiers invited was well filled. This time the performance consisted of unaccompanied glees and part-songs by over 500 members, interspersed with solos by that very promising vocalist Miss Eleanore Wilkinson, and Miss Spilles. Mr. Martin's compositions, arrangements, and—I regret to add—" harmonize- tions" figured largely in the programme, and a very good performance of his prize glee, "All hail," was the prominent feature of the evening, although its really numerous beauties were scarcely appreciated by the military part of the audience. Purcell's "Come if you dare," was as welcome as ever, but also failed to come in for the encore, vociferously demanded by the aoldiers at the close of almost every other piece. "Rule Britannia" and "God Save the Queen" were of course included in the programme, the soldiers joining in the choruses with hearty good will. Mr. Martin's ehoralists have scarcely yet attained a sufficient pitch of steadiness to rely on his baton for precision, unsupported by an experienced body of instru- mentalists, but on the whole went through their task most creditably. The delight experienced by the soldiers was unquestionable, and very few of them left before the termination of the concert.
Mr. Mapleson has made a decided acquisition in securing the services of Mademoiselle Trebelli. On Saturday she appeared in Ii Barbiere, substi- tuted suddenly for Ii Trovatore, and though she was but coldly received, the verdict of an audience attracted by Verdi is assuredly not decisive on any question into which appreciation of good music enters. Her per- sonal qualifications for the part of the fascinating Rosina, her brilliant execution of the difficult music allotted to her, and the piquancy and grace of her acting, combine to render her a' most efficient representative of one of the most marked characters on the operatic stage. Signor Zucchini, who made his debut in England as Don Bartolo, was moderately successful, and Signor Gassier was a capital Figaro. Signor La Terza scarcely in- fused enough humour into his representation of the pompous and gro- tesque Don Basilio, but surpassed his performance as Oros in singing. Signor Bettini, as Alvtaviva, acted very fairly, but has not power enough of voice for so important a part. The band, considering the short notice they must have had, went through their part admirably, the delightful overture in particular being given to perfection.
On Tuesday Mdlle. Trebelli appeared as Asucena, in the postponed Trovatore, and was as successful as the nature of the part, so ill-suited to her, would admit. Verdi's rejected cantata is to be produced after the Barbiere, on Saturday; Mdlle. Iltiena is to take the solos vice Tamberlik, and will be supported by the whole strength of the company, and a chorus of 250 voices.
This week's "Monday Popular Concerts" attracted a large audience, and was, like every one of the series, highly interesting. Herr Joachim was the "lion," and his performance of J. S. Bach's "Andante and Fugue in C major" the "sensation," of the evening. "The Giant of Thuringia," as Mendelssohn calls him, was also worthily represented by Herr Ernest Patter's execution of his "Italian concerto ;" and a quartet of Beethoven's, a trio of Schubert's, and vocal interludes by Madame Louisa Vinning and Mr. Santley, completed the programme. AMATEUR.
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