Mendelssohn's _Elijah, performed at St. Martin's Hall on Wednesday, was
the most successful achievement yet made by Mr. Hullah and his choral troops, when we measure the amount of success by the diffi- culty overcome. The steadiness and precision of the choruses were remarkable. Their boldness and animation were enhanced, in some cases, (as a contemporary has already remarked,) by Mr. Hullah taking the time quicker than is done at Exeter Hall.
The principal defect of the performance was the incompetency of Mr. Weiss to sustain the character of Elijah. He has a good bass voice, and sang like a musician; but the power, the dignity, the rapt sublimity of the inspired prophet, were wanting. Mrs. Endersohn, who made her debdt on this occasion, promises to be a great acquisition. She has a rich and extensive soprano voice, sings well in tune and time, and has a clear and polished execution.
We have to repeat the remark which we are constrained to make at almost every oratorio performance—the orchestra was too loud. The braying of the trombones, in particular, has become a constant nuisance, which ought to be abated. We believe that the conductor, from his posi- tion, is not fully aware of the mischief they do : but if Mr. Costa or Mr. Helical were to descend from his place and sit down at a distance, he could hardly fail to be offended by their obtrusive prominence.
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