3,44 uoir.
The leading concerts of the week have been those of the Philharmonic Society, the Musical Union, and the Harmonic Union—each of them the last of the season.
The Philharmonic Society gave nothing new, but everything was choice. Symphonies of Spohr and Beethoven overtures of Mendelssohn and We- ber, and vocal pieces of Haydn, Weber, and Meyerbeer, made up the pro- gramme. Mademoiselle Emilie Krell, a young singer lately arrived from Vienna, made a great impression by her performance of the scena of Aga- tha in the Freischiits ; and Miss Dolby's revival of Haydn's "Spirit Song,"—one of those beautiful old gems which ought never to be forgot- ten—showed her good taste and feeling. The performances were warmly applauded; and when Herr Wagner made his parting bow from the or- chestra, the cordial greeting he received from every part of the room showed that, notwithstanding the hostile criticism, from several quarters, of which he has been the subject, he has acquitted himself of his arduous and responsible duties to the general satisfaction of the public.
The last meeting of the Musical Union derived a special interest from the appearance, as a pianist, of Mrs. Joseph Robinson, a young lady from Dublin, who delighted the audience by her finished performance of -
IBeethoven's fine sonata in F for the piano and violin, in which she was accompanied by Ernst. Meyerbeer was present at this concert, and was of course "the observed of all observers." At the Harmonic Union, a mass by Molique was performed for the first time in this country ; an admirable composition, and well executed by the principal singers, Mademoiselle Krall, Miss Lascelles, Miss Row- land, and Mr. Weiss; but injured by the inefficiency of the instrumental band and chorus. The management of the Harmonic Union is entitled to credit in some respects. They have generally shown judgment and taste in their selection of musie, and have placed their concerts under an excellent conductor. But Molique, with all his skill, cannot make bricks without straw ; he must be better supplied with materials to work with.
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