BOCHSA'S CONCERT.
BOCHSA is an admirable band at getting up a concert which will draw a multitude of people together. He contrives to make his annual be-. nefit quite unlike every other thing of the kind ; falls upon such ori-
ginal devices, and presents the public with so singular a bill of fare,. that there is no resisting the curiosity to taste his nondescript dishes.. If they turn out, after all, somewhat insipid and unsubstantial, that does not much concern him, as the reckoning is paid before the guests sit down, and before another year be has reason to calculate upon their having forgot their disappointment alfa being as eager as ever after some fresh novelty.
Yesterday's concert bad this wholly new feature, that it was addressed. to the eyes more than the ears of the audience. The Opera-house was lighted up even at midday; and the orchestra was placed upon the stage in the midst of the most splendid scene of the new ballet. Then we had CARLOTTA GRISI, St. RostatN, and PEaaor, figuring in some of the dances of this same ballet : and lastly, we had M. BOCIISA'S "Voyage Musical," or medley of national music, illustrated by scenes and tableaux vvians. We do not know whether we should not also class Mr. Summar; Ksrowl.Es's recitation of Col.- " Ode on the Passions," with Mr. BOCIISA'S orchestral illustra- tions, among this ocular music ; for such an exhibition, made by a man of genius and reputation, was certainly one of the most piquant parts of the entertainment. After he had re- cited the lines in which the poet describes the musical cha- racteristics of each passion, there followed a long instrumen- tal movement, (luring which the reciter seemed (naturally enough) very much at a loss how to dispose of his person, till he was set to woik again by a nod from Mr. COSTA, the conductor. Mr. KsowLEs concluded with some verses of his own, imputing, in so far as we could understand them, that it was a pity that COLLINS had died before M. BOCI1SA'S days, and had thus been deprived of the pleasure of hearing his own conceptions illustrated in so transcendent a manner : and then there was a grand chorus, by way of finale, accompanied by all the instru- mental noised so fashionable at present. M. Bocusa sat alone and played the harp during this performance ; but be gave himself no op- portunity for a display of his really great powers as a performer on his instrument. Like many other people, he mistakes his forte ; and, when he comes before the public, is generally anxious to shine as a composer, to which character his pretensions are by no means high. There was an immense deal of miscellaneous singing—good, bad, and indifferent ; a great deal more than it was possible to listen to without weariness and exhaustion. The orchestra was excellent ; and M. Bocitsa seems to have been by no means sparing of xpense inc providing the materials of his concert.
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