The success of the first subscription concert, given at the Uh gen on Thursday night, augurs well for the prosperity of the reconstituted society. The theatre was well filled in every part by an audience of the first rank, including a much larger rumper of ladies than we have seen in the house for some time it, and the listened to, shewed how thoroughly it was absolute silence in which the music was
appreciated, and the hearty applause which followed each number how well it was enjoyed. The orchestra being boarded over, the performers were brought well in front of the proscenium, and the banks of flowers on each side, and the row of flowers in front of the stage, with the handsome scene at the back, made a most effective coup d'eil, It is not long since we had occasion to fear that the love of good music had waned in Shanghai, but the sight of the orchestra of over thirty, led by Mr. Vela, a most careful and conscientious conductor, and of the eager and absorbed audience, quite dissipated the fear. The orchestra was very well balanced, and not at all too powerful for the theatre, the first violins, among whom we gladly recognised the two talented daughters of Mr. Jansen, being Mr. Lundt, the second violins by Wedemeyer, and the cellos by Mr. Macdonald. Mr. Vinay presided at_the piano in the instrumental music, Mr. Vela accompanying the songs.
The mme was chosen from the masterpieces of French, German and Italian com rs, the only English writer of sumo bonoared on this soossion being resident of Shanghai. The other point to note about the programme was che arrangement, so that the concert forte and ended rather piano, the two closing pieces being very light, but tuneful enough to send the audience away in bright good-humour. The opening number was Auber' most melodious overture to Haydée, and this was 20 taken as to show the full power of the orchestra, the attention given to th tactices by the conductor, and the intel fent care bestowed on its preparation by the musicians. Mr. Stepharius followed witha simple ut very pretty song by Rew composer, Maunerwitz, Fruklingsahadmirable enunciation,. Stopharius's It was excellently sun;, and with fine bass voice filling the theatre. The grand selection from Verdi's Aida, which frank musicians held to be the composer's chef d'eucre, came next, and was listened to with pleased attention from the opening by the wood wind, ith the pizsicato the strings reproducing the harps, all through the magnificent melodies which had been chosen by M. Vela. Mrs. Findlay's fine voice was evidently impaired by severe ould, and this gave hor rendering of one of Arditi's favourite vocal waltzes, L'Estasi, © somewhat staccato effect, but she struggled bravely, and the conclusion was followed by loud and genuine applause, The first part of the concert closed with the first two movementa from the symphony No. 1 by Beethoven, the Michel Angelo of music, as Reményi used to call hit, a piece of solid classicism which is beyond our praise, and which was excellently rendered, though the allegretto, if so much criticism is permitted, seemed to be taken a little faster than usual. The two last move-manta of the symphony opened the second part of the concert, and the beautiful motive of the Allegro Vivace, than which there is probably nothing in elsssical music better known and liked, was rendered with excellent effect. The seventh number included the cavatina from Verdi's Eraani, "Infelice! e tu credevi," and the cabaletta, "Infin. che un brand vindice," with orchestral accompaniment, sung by Mr. C. J. Holliday. His fine voice was used with great effect in this unexcelled example of the greatest living composer, and it was so much enjoyed that an encore i holliday substituting song, "Ask nothing more of me, sweet." Messrs. Vela, Lundt, Danenberg and Macdonald then played the Scherzo and Finale from Beethoven's quartet No. 2, op. 18, the light and shade in this pretty piece being capitally given. A duet of Mendelssohn, Autumn song," was then very well sung by Mrs. Findlay and Mr. Stepharius, the former's voice coming out much better than it did in her solo, and the two voices blending together very pleasantly, Mr. Halton's Gavotte, My dye Favre, and Beethoven's March, Ruins of Athens, concluded the concert they are both very light and very tuneful compositions, andthe orchestra did them long enough, gind the audience came full justice.' The programme was just away delighted, the performers being as pleased as their hearers, and encouraged to work up for another concert at an early date. It is delightful to see that there is once more so much and so musical material in Shanghai, and so e and enthusiastic an audience to enjoy the music provided. It is hardly necessary to say that all the ments for the comfort of the audience were excellent.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.