MUSICAL PUBLICATIONS.

[Published by Casa, BEALE, and Co.]

Lurline ; an Opera in three acts. Written by Edward Fitsball ; composed by W. Vincent Wallace.

The favourable opinion of this opera, which the public have expressed by going in crowds night after night to witness its performance at Covent Garden, is entirely borne out by the closest examination of it in its printed form. This examination Messrs. Cramer and Co., by their very handsome edition, just published, have given us the means of making ; and it has even increased our admiration of the opera as a pure and genuine work of ark An arrangement of the music, suited to the chamber, in which the orchestral score is compressed into an accom- paniment for the pianoforte, has of course the disadvantage of not placing fully in the critic's view the composer's skill in giving richness, variety, and effect to the combinations of instruments ; but this dis- advantage, to which all arranged music is liable is greatly lessened by the masterly manner in which the arrangement has been executed, doubtless by the composer himself. The vocal score is quite complete, and contains the music to every word in the opera—airs, concerted pieces, choruses,—not even omitting the recitatives in which the lightest parts of the dialogue are carried on ; so that experienced musicians are enabled to become thoroughly acquainted with the merits of the work, and to enjoy its beauties though they have never heard it in the theatre ; and those who have had this pleasure will find it renewed when they hear the principal morceaux sung and played by half-a-dozen musical ladies and gentlemen gathered round the drawing-room piano.

[Published by HADDON.]

Prayer-Book Chants, for Quires and Congregations. By Henry John Gaunt- lett, Mus. Doc.

Dr. Gauntlett is an able and experienced musician, especially conver- sant with the ecclesiastical branch of the art; and, therefore, a new pub- lication from him, connected with the service of the Church of England, is entitled to attention. This book, moreover, has a speciality of its own. Our fine Chants belonging to the Morning and Evening Services are sung at present in a way which detracts greatly from their solemn and im- pressive character. The only voices are, in the Cathedrals, the choris- ters, or vicars-choral, of whom there is always a miserably scanty mus- ter; in the parish-churches, there are only a few children in the organ- loft ; while the congregation are invariably silent Even when the con- gregation join in the psalmody, no attempt is made to join in the chants ; the reason evidently being that they do not sing because they have no music to sing from. This want is now supplied by Dr. Ganntlett. He has given the music usually sung to the Venite Exultemus, the Te Deum, the Benedictus, the Jubilate, the Magnifica, the Cantate Domino, the Nunc Demit14, and the Deus Misereatur ; all arranged for four voices, with an accompaniment for the organ :—together with the Chants in the Litany and in the Communion Service. The plain and simple harmonies in ordinary use are retained ; so that any member of the congregation, whatever may be the register of his or her voice, who possesses that ele- mentary knowledge of music now acquired by most people, may join in the sacred harmony. Everybody knows how much grandeur is given to the Psalms by the united voices of the congregation in churches where this excellent practice has been adopted: and a similar effect would be produced were the same practice extended to the Chants of our grand and simple Liturgy.

[Published by LEADER and Coca.] Musical Readings of Longfellow's Poetry. By Frank Romer.

This is a collection of songs by Longfellow with Frank Romer's music, published in numbers, of which twenty have appeared. The American poet is the counterpart of our own Tennyson in mahy things, and particularly in the great number of songs which have inspired the genius of musicians. Their lyrics are not merely little poems, but really and essentially songs, the offspring of musical feeling in the poet, and suggestive of musical ideas to the composer. Longfellow has found a congenial interpreter in Frank Romer, who is deservedly one of the most popular song writers of the day. Though an accomplished musician, he has confined himself to this branch of his art; and his many English songs and ballads are distinguished for unaffected simplicity, graceful flow of melody, and the perfect adaptation of the music to the sentiment and expression of the words. Of these "Musical Readings" we would especially recommend the "Hymn to the Night," "The Golden Mile Stone," "My Lost Youth," and "The Two Angels" to the attention of our readers.

Day Dreams: Song. Composed by Frank Romer.

The words of this song are anonymous—probably by Mr. Romer him- self ; for he has sometimes set his own verses to music. The subject is not new—a regretful musing on dap long past, but it is treated with feeling, and has suggested a melody which reminds us of the Canzonets of Haydn. We cannot pay it a higher compliment.

"Old Memories," and "Fischer Lied." Composed by Virginia Gabriel. " Guard° eke bianea Luna " ; Melodia da Lisa. " 0 were I blest above"; Song. Written by George Linley ; composed by Giacinto Marna.

" Sweet mother, though we're parted" ;Romance. Composed by Donisetti.

Virginia Gabriel is an amateur ; a lady distinguished in society for elegant accomplishments, and particularly for her talents as a composer and pianist. Her two pieces named above are morceaux de salon for the pianoforte. They may be called Leider ohne Worte ; for they are not only similar in form to Mendelssohn's famous pieces so entitled, but have no small share of their beauties ; each of them being a beautiful and melodious song with a rich accompaniment for the piano ; so con- structed that the skilful performer is able to produce at once the effect of a voice and an instrument, blended together, yet perfectly distinct. _Lisa is also an amateur; a young lady, highly gifted as a composer, who gives only her christian name to the public. Her song. "Guards che bianca lune," is a beautiful melody, in a pure Italian style, and embellished by a rich yet delicate accompaniment.

Signor Manes has long been known in the most fashionable circles as an excellent vocal instructor, and a favourite chansonnier de salon. He has composed many fine Italian songs, but this is the only song of his, with English words, that we have met with. He betrays, however, no want of skill in the musical treatment of our language, and his song is, altogether, a graceful and expressive composition. Donizetti's Romance is an Italian air to which English words have been adapted. In the adaptation, the character and expression of the melody have been preserved, and we have a very excellent English song. The words are elegant, but contain a glaring plagiarism :— " Ah, yea! still shall we be united In brighter realms of peace above."

This, unfortunately, reminds us of something much more beautiful— the conclusion of the song in Jephtha-

" Brighter scenes I seek above, In the realms of peace and love."