25 JUNE 1836, Page 16

BENEDICT'S CONCERT.

M. BENEDICT'S morning concert on Wednesday—the only one we have been able to spend an hour at for some time—was very superior to the generality of these entertainments. Bestancr has attained great eminence m various branches of the art ; and has the merit of cultivating a pure and classical style both in composition and per- formance. He is chiefly distinguished as a writer for and performer on the pianoforte ; but he is also an excellent orchestral and vocal composer. The Overture, which began the concert, had a great deal of the spirit of IVEDER, and of WEBeit's peculiar manner of instrumen- tation; but the band was too feeble to do it any thing like justice. The orchestra, indeed, was more calculated to satisfy the eye than the ear ; for it was almost filled by a brilliant crowd of ladies, among whom the performers were very thinly sprinkled. The same cause injured the effect of his Pianoforte Concerto: the Luta parts of which, if properly played, would have had the richness of a symphony : but notwithstanding this disadvantage, the beauties of the piece were so striking that it was received with the warmest applause. M. BENEDICT'S style on the piano- forte is very quiet and unpretending—utterly void of trick or claptrap, but remarkable for smooth,graceful, and finely-rounded melodies, while his harmonies are full and rich, and free from all harsh crudities. His finger is light and rapid, and he sings his cantabile passages very beauti- fully. Of his powers as a vocal composer, a fine specimen was afforded by his Italian Romanza, " L'addio del Mariano," sung by Realm, and accompanied by M. BENEDICT himself on the pianoforte. Another air, sung by Madame MALIBRAN, seemed calculated chiefly to display that lady's peculiar powers of execution. There were also some admirable performances by THALBERG, DE BERIOT, GRIST, LABLACHE, and others.