Page:Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham.djvu/172

160 Hawes, Signer Lonis Lablache, with Mr. T. Cooke, and Mr. H. G. Blagrove (two clever violinists). Receipts, £11,613; profits, £4,503.

1843, Sept. 19 to 22. President, Earl Craven. The performances at the Town Hall included Handel's oratorio, "Deborah," Dr. Crotch's "Palestine," and Rossini's "Stabat Mater," the introduction of the latter causing a considerable flutter among some of the local clergy, one of whom described it as the most idolatrous and anti-Christian composition that could be met with. The Theatre this year was used for three evening concerts, &e. Among the new vocalists were Miss Rainforth, Signor Mario, Signor Fornasari, and Mr. Manvers. The organists were Dr. Samuel Sebastian Wesley and our Mr. James Stimpson, who had succeeded Mr. George Hollins as Town Hall organist in the previous year. Receipts, £8,822; profits, £2,916.

1846, Aug. 25 to 28. President, Lord Wrottesley. This is known as "The Elijah Festival," from the production of Mendelssohn's chef d'oeuvre the "Elijah" oratorio. The performers were mostly those who had been here before, save Miss Bassano, the Misses Williams, Mr. Lockey, and Herr Joseph Staudigl. Receipts, £11,638; profits, £5,508.

1849, Sept. 4 to 7. President, Lord Guernsey. This Festival is especially noteworthy as being the first conducted by Sir Michael Costa, also for the number of "principals" who had not previously taken part in the Festivals, for the extreme length of the evening programmes, each lasting till after midnight; and, lastly, from the fact, that out of a body of 130 instrumentalists, only eight or nine Birmingham musicians could be found to please the maestro's taste. The oratorios of the "Messiah," "Elijah," and "Israel in Egypt," were the principal pieces, with Mendelssohn's "First Walpurgis Night," and Prince Albert's "L'Invocazione dell' Armonia;" the remainder being of the most varied character. The first appearances included Madame Sontag, Madame Castellan, Miss Catherine Hayes, Mdlle. Alboni, Miss Stevens (afterwards Mrs. Hale), Mdlle. Jetty de Treffz, Sims Reeves, Herr Pischek (baritone basso). Signor Bottesini (double bass), M. Sigismund Thalberg (pianist), M. Prospere Sainton (violinist), &c. Receipts £10,334; profits, £2,448.

1852, Sept. 7 to 10. President, Lord Leigh. Handel's oratorio, "Samson," and Mendelssohn's unfinished "Christus," were the chief new works; and the principal strangers were Madame Viardot-Garcia, Miss Dolby, Signor Tamberlik, Herr Formes, Signor Belletti, Mr. Weiss, Signer Piatti (violoncello). Signer Botttsini (double bass), and Herr Kuhe (pianoforte) Receipts £11,925; profits £4,704.

1855, Aug. 28 to 31. President, Lord Willoughby de Broke, The programme included Costa's "Eli" (composed for the occasion), Beethoven's "Mount of Olives," Glover's "Tarn O'Shanter," Macfarren's cantata "Lenora," and Mozart's "Requiem;" the fresh artistes being Madame Rudersdorf, Signer Gardoiii, and Herr Reichardt. Receipts £12,745; profits, £3,108, in addition to £1,000 spent on decorating, &c., the Hail and organ.

1858, Aug. 31 to Sept. 3. President, the Earl of Dartmouth. The novelties included Mendelssohn's Hymn "Praise Jehovah," Beethoven's "Mass in C," Leslie's Cantata "Judith," Mendelssohn's Cantata "To the Sons of Art,' Costa's serenata "The Dream," &c. First appearances were made by Mdlle. Victorie Balfe, Signor Ronconi, Mr. Mentem Smith, about a dozen instrumentalists belonging to the Festival Choral Society. and nearly seventy members of the Amateur Harmonic Association, Mr. W. C. Stockley filling the post of general chorus-master. This was the last year of the "Festival Balls." Receipts, £11,141; profits, £2,731.

1861, Aug. 27 to 30. President, the