The Philharmonic concert of Monday last was excellent as a
whole, but remarkable only for two things—the cold reception given to a new sym- phony, and the very high quality of the vocal music. One of the sym- phonies was by M. Rosenhain, an eminent German composer,—a work, too, of recognized merit : but, because the Philharmonic audience did not know it, nor the author's name, they evidently did not think it worth while to listen, and then grumbled loudly at being deprived of one of their old favourites to make room for it. The vocal music consisted of a su- perb scene from Gluck's Alceate, (an opera, by the way, about to be pro- duced at Drury Lane,) admirably sung by Madame Clara Novello ; the tine monologue of Count Almaviva in Figaro," V edro' mentr'io sospiro," pun by Belletti, and encored with acclamations; and the charming duet Irma the same opera, " Crudel perche," sung by these performers. This is the way to present vocal music for a Philharmonic concert.
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