HANDEL AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE.
The Sacred Harmonic Society announce from time to time the progress they are making in their preparations for the great Handel Festival at the Crystal Palace next spring. Plans have now been arranged for com- mencing a series of choral rehearsals in London ; and Messrs. Gray and Davison are employing their whole strength in building the organ to be used on that occasion,—an immense instrument, which will occupy a space 50 feet wide by 26 in depth, besides the platforms required for the bellows and wind-reservoirs. A circumstance of great interest has recently occurred—the discovery of the full scores from which Handel himself conducted the performances of his oratorios. They are in the handwriting of his amanuensis John Christopher Smith, and contain many most important annotations and directions from the hand of the great master himself. They belong to Mr. Shaldier, a gentleman who has been long engaged in collecting materials for a Life of Handel ; and he has placed them at the disposal of the Sacred Harmonic Society.
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