TUE AIWIENT omicEetts.
When we find in the programme of an Ancient concert the name of Prince Albert as the acting Director of the night, we know that the office is to be, for that night, not merely nominal. The Prince's concerts have a distinct and individualr character, and, though not always unexception- able in plan.and selection, bear marks of knowledge and taste. The concert of Wednesday last was of this description. The first part consisted of Beethoven's licunt of Olives, given entire in an Italian version, for the sake of being performed by the Italian singers. Nothing conkl be better than the choice of this stork to form a part of an Ancient concert; though it is difficult to find a reason for having it performed in Italian. It is unknown in Italy, and is in a style for which the Italian singers are not prepared either by edtication or habits; whereas it has been known in-England for nearly half a century, and has been well studied and frequently song by the best of our present vocalists. It happened that this Italian 'experiment was not ffilly tried; for Mario, who was to have snetained the principal part, was unable to appear, and-Mr. Lockey, called upon at short notice, sang it in English!—with thorough knowledge of the music, and greattruth and force of expression. The principal female part was snag by Madame .Castel- Ian, (not an Italian,) with pocket purity and very considerable vocal power. Tamburini gave the solos for the bass with sufficient simplieity,—probiehly not knowing the music well enough to throw any of his usual roulades into it; but he had neither the weight of Phillips's voice nor the fitmness and certainty of his execution. Gardoni, who had very little to do, did it pleasingly. Miss Birch bad only a short recitative and a part in a little duet. The concerted pieces would have been mutt; better sung by persons who had studied them.
In the second part of the concert, which was an admirable selection from old operas, the Italian singers were employed to greater advantage. The famous " Paga fni " from Winter's Proserpina was delicliously sung by Al- toni; and the beautiful ballad from Gretry's Anacreon, sung by Tamburini, was probably new to almost every person in the room. Equally fresh was the fine sestet -from La Cosa Rare of Martini, the opera to which Storace was indebted for-the greatest part of his Siege VBelgrarle. The only thing out of keeping in the selection was a Welsh song with chorus; very good in its way, but strange and uncouth among the polished strains-of the Italian stage.
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