Music. - The Citizen (Sydney, NSW : 1846 - 1847) - 5 Sep 1846 (original) (raw)

Marsh's Farewell Concert,— This con

cert came off on Monday evening in the Saloon

of the Royal Hotel, but from the insufficient

notice given previously, we regret to say that

the audience was not so numerous as the ac

knowledged talents of Mr. Marsh might natu

rally be expected to draw. The performances

were limited both in style and character, being

chiefly instrumental. Of Mr. Ravac's execution

on the violin it is impossible to convey a correct

idea, suffice it to say, he proved himself a per

fect master of his instrument, and carried the

feelings of his hearers with him in the deep and

pathetic cadences of his soul-stirring melody.

Mr. Marsh's fantasias on the Harp, in which

he introduced the popular melodies of " Love

Not" and " The Last Rose of Summer" were

given in excellent taste, and elicited much ap

plause. The march and "Ode to Leichardt" was

also well received. Madame Carandini sang

two songs with considerable taste and feeling.

The performances concluded with Mr. Marsh's

" Australian National Song" and chorus. Upon

the whole, the concert went off pleasingly, al

though, as a Farewell benefit, it cannot be re

garded otherwise than a decided failure. Messrs.

Marsh and Ravac, whose anticipated success in

Australia has fallen far short of their expec

tations, proceeded in the Emerald Isle, which

sailed on Thursday for Calcutta, on a musical

tour through the Indian Presidencies, where

we hope their talents will command a more

gratifying reception than they experienced in

Wallace's Concert. — Mr. Wallace's Con

cert, which took place under the distinguished

patronage of Sir Charles and Lady Mary Fitz

Roy, in the Royal Victoria Theatre on Wed

nesday evening, was crowded to excess, the

dress circle especially displaying a galaxy of

female beauty and fashion that would have done

credit to the Italian Opera. On the entrance

of the Governor and suite, he was greeted with

long and continued cheering, which his Excel

lency courteously and gracefully acknowledged

by bowing to all parts of the house — a ceremony

which he had also to go through before taking

his departure, which was not before the con

clusion of the performances, with which his

Excellency appeared to be well satisfied. We

cannot, however, say much for the music.

With the exception of Mr. Wallace's perform

ances on the flute and violin, which were chef

d'ceuvres of musical art, and Mr. J. Howson's

song from the new opera of Maritana, ' Yes !

let me like a soldier fall," little can be said in

commendation. Mrs. Bushelle got through the

old ballad of " Black Eyed Susan" tolerably :

but even she appeared dispirited and out of

voice. Allowance must, however, be made for

the imperfect accompaniment of Mr. Imberg

en the pianoforte, who did not appear to have

practised or understood the music before him.