Bericht über das Konzert von C. M. von Weber in London am 26. April 1826

CARL MARIA VON WEBER’S CONCERT.

This eminent Composer gave a Concert at the Argyll Rooms on Friday evening which opened with a M.S. Cantata of his own, called “Festival of Peace”, in which Braham and Phillips, Madame Caradori, ans Miss H. Cawse took the principal parts, assisted by a numerous Chorus, and an excellent band led by Cramer. The Cantata is a very beautiful composition, and calculated to please, particulary a Quartette and Chorus commencing “Twine with the branch of the Olive the wheat-ear,”* the subject of the allegro is much in style of the second movement in Braham’s popular duet of “When thy bosom”* ‒ it was rapturously encored.

At the end of the first part Kiesewetter performed a fantasia on the violin beautifully. The second part, led by Mori, commenced with the fine overture to Oberon, charmingly executed. Miss Paton sung “Misera Me!” in her best style, and Moscheles performed extemporaneously on the piano-forte, introducing several popular airs from Der Freischutz ‒ and concluding with the subject of the chorus, which had just been sung ‒ to the infinite gratification of the company.

Miss Stephens sung a beautiful air, composed expressly for her by Weber, the words from Moore’s Lalla Rookh “From Chindara’s warbling fount I come,” with her accustomed sweetness. Braham gave the grand scena form Freischutz, with all the expression, pathos, and energy which it requires.

Weber, to show his gratitude, offered to conduct the overture to Der Freischutz at Miss Stephens’ benefit to-morrow night; but she, in consideration of the bad state of his health, with a sympathy that does credit to her sweet little heart, would not suffer him to fatigue himself; he however insists on testifying his regards towards Mori, by conducting his Grand Jubilee Overture at that eminent performer’s Concert, on Friday night*.

By the bye, it is a curious fact, that our four principal Leaders viz.‡ Cramer, Spagnoletti, Kiesewetter and Mori, lack, what a Cockney would call Air [hair] for each is more or less bald ‒ and John Loder, of Bath, another Leader, although a young man, possesses “silvery locks” ‒ with the exception of Spagnoletti, they were all present on Friday night.