Aufführungsbesprechung London: Oratorio-Aufführung im Covent Garden Theatre am 8. März 1826 (inkl. Freischütz-Auszügen)

COVENT GARDEN.

Weber, whose music is so universally felt and admired, made his appearance before a British ¦ audience on Wednesday. His reception from a house crowded Throughout, was enthusiastic, and seemed to give him exceeding delight. The first act was from Der Freischütz, and the orchestra was led by Weber. The variations from the usual style in which the music has hitherto been played were so slight as to be scarcely worth notice; indeed its beauties seem to have been perfectly understood before: and Mr. Arnold must be thanked for having one such perfect justice to the German composer. All the performers exerted themselves to their utmost. The second act was Judas Maccabeus. We never heard Braham in finer voice. His recitative and air, Sound an alarm, was indescribably grand; and Kelvin Grove, in the third act, exquisitely beautiful. Miss Paton sang delightfully; and Miss Roche gave Cashleen O’More, but was so excessively frightened that she could hardly speak. She possesses a voice of uncommon sweetness; and, when her timidity wears off, will certainly become a great favourite with the public. An indifferent performance on the clarionet, by Mr. Ribas, was the principal defect of the evening’s entertainments: in other respects it was a highly gratifying musical treet.

Oberon, as an opera at Covent-Garden, with Von Weber as its composer, will run side by side with Aladdin, at Drury-lane, composed by Bishop, who will no doubt be stimulated to his best exertions by this high competition. Braham has, as his extraordinary powers well merit, the principal part in the former: Miss Stephens plays Aladdin.

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