THE MUSICAL FESTIVALS.
THE following paragraph has found its way into some of the London papers, mid, like much of the musical gossip we read there, is a gross perversion of the truth. It is surprising how heedlessly Journals of respectability give currency to falsehoods or misrepresentations resting on no foundation, and often the mere coinage of interested individuals-
" It is said that M. De Beriot, after having received a verbal agreement to the terms demanded for Madame Malibran's perforniance at all the four Festi- Pals, wrote to Milan to give up his engagement there; and that in conse- quence of this verbal bargain not lacing ratified, he was glad. Laving lost his Milan engagement, to accept halt the original sum front Manchester and Liverpool alone."
The true version of the affair is given in the Niirfolk C'hronicle-
" This is altogether an incorrect statement. Monsieur De Bet lot demanded 2600/. for the set vices of Madame De Bernet and himself at the four Festivals, being the amount of Madame De Beriot's engagement at La Scala for the months of September and October. The Committees of Manchester, Nor- wich, and Liverpool, offered 400 guineas for each, and the Wereester Com- mittee :150 guineas. These terms were peremptorily refused by M. De Beriot. A further sum was proposed, viz. 1900 guineas for the four Festivals. To this offer a written refusal was given. It was not till after the in gotiation was thus Moken off, that Monsieur De Beriot finally- gave up his engagement at Milan ; which he did with the intention of going either to St. Petersburg or to the Coronation at Prague. At the close of the London season, Monsieur and Madame De Beriot retired to their residence at Brussels; and there a fresh negotiation was opened with the Committees of Manchester and Liverpool, and Concluded for the sum of 600 guineas for each Festival."
In our notices of the approaching Festivals, we shall adhere to the same rule as we have always adopted regarding all musical perform- ances,_that is, to select such for remark as offer any novel or peculiar feature, instead of reiterating a string of commonplace terms of praise or censure on compositions or singers that are well known. For this reason, it will be unnecessary to notice the Manchester Festival; as the only novelty it offers (Time Christian's Prayer, by Smat ), 11 also he performed at Norwich and Liverpool; where, as well as at Worcester, other works either of established celebrity or anticipated fame will be produced. The principal features of the four Festivals are as follows.
MANCHESTER. ( To begin on the 13th of September.) " The Crea- tion "—" The Seventh Day "—" Ile Christian's Prayer's:— "The Messiah "—" The Mount of Olives"—' The Last Judg- ment."
Nonwren. ( To begin on the 20th September.) "The Redemption "— "The Creation "—" The Seventh Day"—" The Christiaa's Prayer "—" Israel in Egypt."
WORCESTER. ( To begin on the 27th September.) The Dettingen " 're Dettm " —" The Messiah "— " Redemption "—" The Last Judgment."
LIVERPOOL. ( To begin on the 4th October.) " The Chrietian's Prayer "—" The Messiah "—" Paul."
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