METROPOLITAN MUSICAL FESTIVALS.
AT length we may look forward with confidence to a performance of this kind in London. After the lapse of half a century, Westminster Abbey will again assemble a band within its walls of sufficient magnitude to realize the greatest conceptions of the greatest masters. During this period, whoever desired to hear music in its greatest perfection, was compelled to travel into the country : it will now be brought to our own doors. The King has entered into the scheme with his usual heartiness and decision. Sir GEORGE SMART, who probably will be the conductor, had a long audience of his Majesty this week, and announced the result at the meeting of the Philharmonic Band on Thursday.
That such a performance must be a source of the highest gratification to the public, of pride to the English musical profession, and of profit to the charities for whose behalf it is undertaken, there can be no question. But it will mainly depend on the men in whose bands the direction is really vested, whether it will attain the highest or only u secondary degree of excellence. We have sonic doubts on the subject, in consequence of u principle which, it is rammed, has been adopted by the promoters of the Festival, betraying an infirmity of purpose, and an admission of incompetency, which must prevent the performance from being all it might be. We trust the report is unfounded, and that it will not be necessary for us to return to the subject, and expose the absurdity of the (reported) decision.
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