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Aurnorrea the past month has not been marked by any very im- portant musical events, there has been no deficiency of good music provided for those who can appreciate merit without novelty. The Monday Popular Concerts, now in abeyance for the customary interval at Easter, have kept up their character, both as to selec- tion and performance. A Beethoven night and a Mozart night have been among the recent concerts, and though the absent Joachim was inevitably missed on the former occasion, both con- certs were excellent. This season, too, there has been a marked improvement in the vocal department of these concerts, which was formerly scarcely worthy of the instrumental. The introduction of many of Glinka's songs, so well sung by Miss Banks and Madame Sainton-Dolby, was a great step in itself. The "Lullaby' and "The Orphan," for example, are so perfectly original in concep- tion, that one seemed to obtain from hearing them quite a new impression of what the capability of music for the expression of a certain range of ideas really was. The occasional performance, too, of instrumental compositions of larger dimensions and greater instrumental variety than the ordinary stringed quartet, has been a great feature in the present season. If Joachim returns, as it is to be hoped he will before long, there is every prospect of as brilliant an after-Easter season for these concerts as that of last year was. Mr. Manna' admirable concerts, too, con- tinue to attract crowds to the Crystal Palace every Saturday. Though numerically slightly below the standard generally received as that of a first-class orchestra, that at the Crystal Palace has now attained that pitch of excellence that can only result from length of existence as an orchestra, without any violent changes in its composition, steady practice, and lastly, a conductor like Mr. Maims. The general character of these concerts has been the same as when commenced, a symphony and a couple of overtures being separated by some usually very good singing, but for the two last Saturdays the customary form has been departed from in favour of an operetta by Herr Meyer Lutz, performed with scenery and dresses, on a duly curtained stage extemporized in the concert-room. Blonde or Brunette is the title of the operetta, and the libretto—by Mr. J. P. Wooler—relates how a gay flirting captain of the last century falls desperately in love with a blonde young lady, simply in consequence of being refused by her when compelled by her brother to offer with the alternative of a challenge. His offer, however, has the same effect ultimately upon her as her refusal had upon him. She disguises herself as a dark-haired Irish girl, the captain completely forsakes "blonde" for the supposed "brunette," and offers to her, but on again meeting her undis- guised, changes his allegiance again, and offers to her, in reality, a third time, when all is explained and he is accepted. There is another lady in the story—the brother of the heroine takes a pro- minent part in the proceedings, and she herself also disguises herself as Hector Brian Boroo, a supposed brother of the Irish girl, so that there is scope for some very amusing complications. The book is written in a really light amusing style, and its total freedom from many of the stupid conventionalities of operatic libretti constitutes one merit which can scarcely be overestimated.
The music to this consists of several airs, two or three concerted pieces, and a short overture and entr'acte. If its style is not decidedly original, it is atleastfresh and pleasing throughout,—reminding one, perhaps, of Flotow more than of any other operatic composers, and there are oecasionalportions which willquite bear comparison with his treatment of similar subjects in Martha. The great error, however, intowhich Herr Lutz has fallen, is that of imparting far too triste and even gloomy atone to the music of so playful a trifle as this story is. The apparent inconstancy of the captain is perhaps to be taken only as showing his real constancy to the same lady, regardless of such trifles as name and colour of hair ; but certainly, where so much plotting and flirting is going on, the music ought to have had rather more vivacity and verve. In a sort of laughing trio in the second act, Herr Lutz has shown that he possesses perfect capacity for sparkling dramatic music of the very best kind, so that the fault must have been one of judgment, and not from incompetency. Again, the air sung by the heroine in her Irish disguise, "the Belle of Ba,llingarry," is admirably imbued with all the lighter characteris- tics of Irish melody ; but the rest of the music is by far too heavy in tone for the story, though often of unquestionable beauty of composition in itself. A scene, too, in which the heroine gets her lady friend to act a suitor in order to practise refusing, is decidedly not made the most of. Still, though scarcely equal to Herne the Hunter, Blonde or Brunette ? shows that Herr Lutz possesses most of the qualities necessary for operatic composition, and his next essay must be looked forward to with great interest.
The cast was decidedly good. Miss Fanny Reeves took the complicated part of the heroine with very good effect. Mr. Elliot Geier, who is far too seldom heard nowadays, sang admirably as the captain, if his acting was not remarkable. The orchestra accompanied to perfection. Next Saturday Mr. Manias reverts to the ordinary style of concert, which the late pleasing diversion has not in the least led lovers of music to forget.
Both the rival opera-houses have announced their arrangements for the season, which promises to be one of great brilliancy, if the long lists of new singers contain but a fair proportion of efficient artistes. Mr. Gye seems to place faith in Madlle. Carlotta Patti, sister of Adelina, and possessed of a soprano voice of unheard-of range ; while Mr. Mapleson has secured Madlle. Kellogg, also celebrated in America. Verdi's last opera and Flotow's Straddle are to be produced at both houses. Mr. Gye promises l'Etoile du Nord, and Mr. Mapleson will revive Oberon, and produce
Gounod's Faust, so popular in Germany. AMATEUR.
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