NEW MUSICAL FUND.
THE Annual Concert for the benefit of this excellent institution was held at the King's Theatre on Friday evening. The band was as numerous as usual; the. singers more numerous and more at- tractive, judging from the audience, for the house was completely filled. The Italian vocalists were CAMPORESE, PISARONI, MALI- BRAN-GARCIA, DONZELLI, and ZUCHELLI ; the English—Miss GRADDON, MiSS FARRAR, BRAHAM, PHILLIPS, and E. TAYLOR. The most perfect performances "of the 'evening were the duet "Ebben a to ferisci," and "E fia ver cesso lo sdegno," the former by CAMPORESE and PISARONI, the latter by DONZELLI and ZUCHELLI. There is an abundance, an amplitude in ZUCHELLI'S voice, which blends delightfully with the rich and brilliant tenor of DONZELLI. MALIBRAN sang with perfect and finished taste. There was no ground and lofty tumbling, no buffoonery, no clap- trapping—it was all pure and good. Too good, we suspect, for the audience, who appeared to understand and approve Miss GRADDON to the full as well. Certain it is that the English public love vulgar music. Of the English singers, what can we say? Can any thing new be told of BRA.HAM'S singing or LINDLEY'S accompanying " Alexis ;" or is PHILLIPS'S " Maid of Llanwellyn" a theme for criticism ? E. TAYLOR introduced a new song of his own compo- sition : it was well suited to the power and depth of his voice, and the orchestral arrangements discovered considerable skill. The most surprising exhibition was the aria " La ci darem," with variations on the trombone by SCHMIDT. In this country the powers of this instrument have been, comparatively, little de- veloped. It will now be better known, and more skilfully as well as frequently used. The variations played by SCHMIDT embraced two octaves, and combined passages of the greatest possible diversity. His embouchure is managed with extraordinary skill, and is only equalled by the perfect command he displays over the tone of his instrument.
We cannot help contrasting the slovenly and disgraceful manage- ment of the Choral Fund Concert with the correctness of the pre- sent performance. The explanation is easily given : GREATOREX conducted at the former, Sir GEORGE SMART at the latter.
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