PRINCIPAL CONCERTS.
The Philharmonic, on Monday, had a feature of novelty in a symphony by Mr. Cipriani Potter ; a composition of great merit, very favourably received, and worthy of a place among the standard works of its class.. The other symphony was Mendelssohn's in A' minor—" the Scottish Symphony,' as it is called. It was effectively performed ; though M. Wagner sometimes deviated from the readings given by the composer when he conducted his own work. For this Wagner has been severely- called to account by some of the diurnal critics : yet something may be said in his behalf. He never heard Mendelssohn conduct the sym- phony, we believe; and,. in the absence of any positive indication, there is often difference of feeling in regard to the time of a movement. Sake— ton played Beethoven's violin concerto in a manner which no violinist. in Europe could have surpassed.
The English Glee and Madrigal Union had their first concert of the season on Monday, at Willis's Rooms. This Society—the members of which are Mrs. Endersohn, Mr. and Mrs. Lockey, Mr. Hobbs, and Mr. H. Phillips—goes on prosperously. The members are assisted by a number of - supplementary voices, forming a choir sufficient for the performance of any madrigal ; and their admirable concerts never fail to draw crowded audiences. They have revived the old glories of our secular vocal har- mony.
Mr. Henry Leslie's oratorio Immanuel was performed at St. Martin's Hall on Wednesday, for the benefit of a valuable charity, the " Home- for Gentlewomen suffering from Reverse of Fortune." It was admirably done' the solo-singers being Madame Clara Novelle, Miss Dolby, Miss Amy Dolby, Mr. Sims Reeves, and Mr. Weiss. Immanuel is undoubtedly- the best oratorio from the pen of an English composer since the Palestine_ of Dr. Crotch.
On the same evening, the Harmonic Union had a very good perforni- ance of Elijah ; in which the principal parts were sustained by Belletti, Reichardt, Miss Stabbach, and Miss Lascelles. The orchestra and chorus, were quite powerful enough for the Hanover Square Rooms' and the performance was conducted by M. Molique with great ability and judg- ment.
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