The Harmonicon. Part the First :: LIVERPOOL AMATEUR SOCIETY.

LIVERPOOL AMATEUR SOCIETY.

To the EDITOR of the HARMONICON.

Liverpool, July, 1833.

SIR,

As I observe that you take an interest in whatever relates to the cultivation of music, in the country as well as in London, I beg to offer you an account of a Society which has lately been formed, on a small scale, in this town, leaving it to your judgment to accept or reject it as you may deem expedient. I have ventured to send it, because I think the Harmonicon is a valuable record of musical proceedings, and ought to be supported by amateurs, not only for their own sakes, but to assist in the promotion of the science; I shall, therefore, be rejoiced if I can, in the smallest degree, contribute to so desirable an object.

The society which I wish to introduce to your notice is called the Apollo Vocal Concert, and consists of a soprano and contralto, (ladies,) a tenor and two bases, with the able and esteemed conductor of the Liverpool Festival Choral Society as conductor and pianist. Their object in associating is for the purpose of practising the higher kinds of music, with a view to their mutual improvement; for which purpose they meet regularly once a fortnight all the year round; and to ensure a punctual attendance they have bound themselves, by heavy fines, to observe the rules laid down for the government of the society. So far its existence would not have been a subject of public interest, and unworthy of your notice; but the parties concerned, urged by several amateurs, and desirous of laying the foundation, if possible, of some sort of permanent musical institution in the town, determined on giving a set of four public vocal concerts; and the first of these took place on Thursday, June 27th. In order to defray the unavoidable expenses, and to secure the respectability of the meeting, none were admitted but subscribers for the set—each subscriber having a transferable ticket besides his own—the subscription being one guinea for the four concerts. The number of subscribers is limited to one hundred, which number is nearly filled, and includes the names of some of our leading gentry.

You will be surprised, Mr. Editor, to learn, that Liverpool, the second town in the empire, and distinguished, in other respects, by its liberality and splendor, cannot boast a single musical establishment of any description!—a most unaccountable, and, I had almost said, disgraceful, fact—only to be explained, even by those well acquainted with the place, on the supposition that no one likes to commit himself by being one of the first to give his name to a project which may not become fashionable.

It is hoped, however—seeing that most important undertakings have had small beginnings—that some musical institution, creditable to so opulent and important a town, may arise from the Apollo Vocal Concert. Unpretending though it be in itself,—it will at least show that a pleasant and unobjectionable recreation may be obtained at a very trifling individual expense. But a good band might be collected in the town, which by regular practice together would soon become efficient; and there is every encouragement to take such a step, from the example of Manchester, where the best orchestra in this country, out of London, is found at the Gentlemen’s Concert in that town.

I subjoin the programme of the public concert on the 27th of June already mentioned. The company, consisting of nearly two hundred persons, appeared to be not only satisfied, but extremely pleased with the performance; indeed, the execution of some of the pieces would have done no discredit to performers of much longer standing; and the members of the society have expressed themselves highly flattered by the manner in which their endeavours were received.

I fear I have taken up an unreasonable portion of your space: if so, you must either curtail this letter, or excuse

Your obedient servant,
UN ALTRO DILETTANTE.

PART I.

Symphony (in E flat) Mr. G. Holden and Mr. W. Comber	MOZART.
Trio, “Tremate! Empi, tremate,” Miss Johnson, Mr. Caird, and Mr. Pemberton	BEETHOVEN.
Cavatina, “Una voce poco fÀ,” Miss Potts	ROSSINI.
Duo Buffo, “Mentre Francesco,” Mr. Pemberton and Mr. Aubrey	COCCIA.
Scena, “Coeur de Lion,” Mr. Caird	G.HARGREAVES[75].
Glee, “Blest pair of Sirens,” Miss Johnson, Miss Potts, Mr. Entwistle, Mr. Caird, Mr. Pemberton, and Mr. Aubrey (encored)	J.S.SMITH.
Aria, “Miei rampolli femminini,” Mr. Aubrey	ROSSINI.
Finale, “Venite pur avanti,” (Don Giovanni.) Miss Johnson, Miss Potts, Mr. Entwistle, Mr. Caird, Mr. Pemberton, and Mr. Aubrey	MOZART.

PART I.

Overture. (Zaira.) Mr. G. Holden and Mr. W. Comber	WINTER.
Duetto, “D’ un bell’ uso di Turchia,” Mr. Caird and Mr. Aubrey	ROSSINI.
Song, “Batti, batti,” Miss Johnson	MOZART.
Terzetto, “Dolce tranquillita,” Miss Johnson, Miss Potts, and Mr. Caird (encored)	PUCITTA.
Scena, “The battle of Hohenlinden,” Mr. Pemberton	C.SMITH[76].
Glee, “Hark the curfew,” Miss Johnson, Miss Potts, and Mr. Aubrey	ATTWOOD.
Terzetto, “Pappataci!” Mr. Caird, Mr. Pemberton, and Mr. Aubrey (encored)	ROSSINI.
Finale. (Guy Mannering.) “The Fox jump’d over the Parson’s gate,” Miss Johnson, Miss Potts, Mr. Caird, Mr. Pemberton, and Mr. Aubrey (encored)	H.R.BISHOP.

[We wish all possible success to the Apollo Concert, and to every society of the kind, but cannot congratulate the founders of it on their choice of a name.]

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