CONCERTS.
This has been a busy week in the way of concerts.
In the first place, there was the Philharmonic, on Monday; an excel- lent concert, which has met with unmingled approbation. It presented no novelty; but we are far from complaining of this, because it may be stated as a general proposition with regard to the Philharmonic Concerts, that the amount of novelty is in the inverse ratio to the amount of merit. The Symphonies were well-known masterpieces of Mozart and Beethoven; the Overtures were the Freischats and Sterudale Bennett's Pathina; the latter a clever composition, but it had been indifferently rehearsed, and did not receive full justice in the performance. Mendelssohn's first Concerto in G minor was played by Miss Kate Loder so admirably that the last movement was loudly encored. 'I his young girl wants nothing but a little more physical strength to be one of the most distinguished pianists of the day. Mr. Blagrove played a Concertino by Spohr, with a fine tone and finished execution; and was much applauded. The vocal music was the least praiseworthy part of the concert: there was, however, the fine air from Don Giovanni, " Non mi dir," brilliantly executed by Madame Donis Gras; the remainder consisted of common things from modern Italian operas, sung by that lady and Signor Salvi. The Ancient Concert, on Wednesday, under the direction of Earl Howe, presented a good selection of English music per formed by English artists. But, like all the Ancient Concerts of this season, (except Prince Albert's, at which the Queen was present,) it was very poorly attended; the audi- ence scarcely numbering more than the instrumentalists and choristers in the orchestra. This venerable establishment seems in a state of rapid decay.
Benefit concerts are rife at this season. The best during the week have been that of Miss Dolby and Mr. Lindsay Sipper, and that of Mr. and Mrs. W. Seguin. Both were exceedingly well attended; the beneficiaires deservedly standing high in public estimation.
One of Mr. Hullah's choral performances took place on Wednesday evening, at Exeter Hall. The pieces were Handers Ads and Galatea and Mendelssohn's First Walpargts Night. The choral-singing was admirable; the solo-singing, with the exception of that of Mr. Sims Reeves, very mediocre. Mr. Reeves sustained the part of Acis as Braham used to do in days of yore. Two or three miscellaneous pieces were performed by way of interlude. Several of Mendelssohn's Lieder ohne Worte were played on the pianoforte by M. Charles Halle, with an effect of which we could scarcely have believed the instrument capable in so vast an area and upon so popular an audience; and this was the more remarkable as M. Halld is a purely classical performer, depending upon tone, style, and ex- pression, and never resorting to vulgar expedients to catch applause. It is gratifying to observe that an artist of this class is in universal request, while the "executive " school has fallen into abeyance.
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