SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY.
Mendelssohn's St. Paul was performed at Exeter Hall on Wednesday evening. In the performance there was nothing remarkable. The band and chorus are now pretty well acquainted with the oratorio; and got through it with tolerable smoothness, but with a sad want of that musical chiar'oseuro which is essential to expression and effect. We notice it only in consequence of the recent change in the office of Conductor. Mr. Sur- man has been dismissed, on the ground of incompetency and several other charges; both parties have brought the matter before the public in con- troversial statements; and the Ex-Conductor has set on foot a rival society. Almost ever since the Sacred Harmonic Society has assumed public im- portance, we have complained of the badness of its management, as err dented by the undisciplined state of the chorus and instrumental band; and we agree with some of our contemporaries in thinking that there is now an opportunity of making a radical improvement in this respect; first, by care and judgment in the case of a new musical conductor; and next, by laying down rules for efficiently supporting the Conductor in enforcing strict attention and discipline among his vocal and instrumental troops.
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