the mirror until the actual seizure of the growth. Those who advocate the stout forceps consider it preferable on account of its greater strength and the less amount of vibration it occasions.

Before attempting to remove a growth the larynx of the patient should be trained to tolerate the introduction of the instrument.

(To be continued).

PROSPECTIVE MUSIC.

Lane Theatre on Easter Monday, and will be of greater duration than on the last occasion. Mr. Rosa's arrangements promise well, his scheme including the production of a new opera composed for his company by Mr. Goring Thomas. The new work is to be entitled 66 Nadeshda," and is founded on a Russian love story, the lyrics being written by Mr. Julian Sturgis. Mr. Rosa will also bring out M. Massenet's "Manon," with some important alterations and additions made by the composer for the English version. There will be repetitions of favourite works which have before proved attractive-among them being "Mignon " The first important performance of the year 1885 was and "Carmen." The new comic opera, the joint production the fifth concert of the fourteenth season of the Royal of Sir Arthur Sullivan and Mr. W. S. Gilbert, was looked Albert Hall Choral Society-conducted by Mr. Barnby-for before the close of 1884. Their production may now on January 1st, when the annual performance of the be expected to appear in the course of the coming "Messiah was given. Doubtless the Albert Hall Choral spring. Society will retain its high reputation; though after a reported loss of £300 through the recent performances of "Parsifal," it may be expected no more experiments of the kind will be attempted even if possible.

The fourth concert of the new season of the Sacred Harmonic Society will take place at St. James's Hall, on January 23rd, when Berlioz's "Childhood of Christ," and other works, are to be performed. Handel's little known oratorio, "Belshazzar," will be revived on Feb. 27th.

Regarding Italian opera, nothing definite can yet be said, and it would be useless to give currency to vague rumours. It may be expected that at least one of our great opera houses will be appropriated to operatic purposes. On this subject, however, no reliable information is at present obtainable.

Of German opera there are no signs, the results of past experiments in this direction not tending to any present encouragement of their repetition.

The Monday Popular Concerts were resumed, with the seventeenth performance of the twenty-seventh season, on January 5th, the first afternoon concert of the new year taking place to-day.

This year will include celebrations of the bicentenary of the births of Bach and Handel. The Bach Choir will give a performance of the Mass in B minor (" Die Höhe Messe") at the Royal Albert Hall, on Saturday afternoon, Mr. John Boosey has already commenced, at St. March 21st. The work will be rendered by the choris-James's Hall, a new season of his London ballad concerts. ters of the Bach Choir, and those of Mr. Henry Leslie's Choir, and the performance will be conducted by Mr. Otto Goldschmidt.

The Crystal Palace authorities will give a Handel Festival in June on the same gigantic scale as on many past occasions. The dates are fixed for June 19th (public rehearsal), June 22nd, 24th, and 26th. As upon previous occasions, one day will be appropriated to the "Messiah," one to "Israel in Egypt," and one to a miscellaneous selection. Mr. Manns will again act as conductor.

Mr. Henry Leslie's Choir, it is satisfactory to know, will this year be revived, with its founder, Mr. Leslie, as conductor, and the first concert of a new season will take place at St. James's Hall, on June 4th.

Mr. W. Carter will continue his series of six national festival concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, with the second on January 26th.

The Royal Society of Musicians will hold its 147th anniversary festival during the ensuing spring. This society does invaluable work in aid of distressed members, widows and orphans, by the judicious and inexpensive administration of funds that are by no means excessive, and claims the support of the public in a truly good

cause.

The Philharmonic Society's seventy-third season will begin at St. James's Hall on February 26th, with the first of six concerts, in the course of which a new orchestral symphony, composed for the society by Herr Anton Dvorak, will be produced under his personal direction, as will be a new serenade for orchestra by Mr. T. Wingham, and a prize overture, to be selected from works sent in by a large number of competitors. Other interesting features will be forthcoming. With the fine orchestra headed by Mr. Carrodus, and with Sir Arthur Sullivan as conductor of all the concerts, there can be no doubt that the society will maintain the high position which it has held for so many years.

The Crystal Palace Saturday Afternoon Concerts will be resumed on February 14th, with the eleventh performance of the 29th series. During the series a tribute will be rendered to the bicentenary of the birth of Bach and Handel, and the anniversary of the birth of Brahms will be celebrated on March 7th, when there is a possibility of the production of a new symphony. The production for the first time in England of Berlioz's grand Te Deum for three choirs, orchestra, and organ, will be an important event.

There will be three triennial provincial festivals this year, the earliest being that of Birmingham. It has been already stated that a forthcoming oratorio, entitled "Mors et Vita," will be presented by M. Gounod. The text is chiefly taken from Holy Writ, with the addition of some passages from St. Augustine and the Fathers. Its first performance at the Festival, directed by the composer, during the week beginning with August 24th, will be looked forward to with interest. Besides this oratorio, the Birmingham meeting will bring forward the following new works:-A Cantata by Herr Anton Dvorak; another by Mr. C. V. Stanford, on the subject of the Three Holy Children; one by Mr. F. H. Cowen, "The Sleeping Beauty"; a violin concerto by Mr. A. C. Mackenzie; a short work, "Yule-tide," by Mr. T. Anderton ; and a new Symphony by Mr. E. Prout. The performances will be conducted by Herr Hans Richter.

The next provincial triennial celebration of 1885 will be that of Hereford, to take place early in September. The third and last of the triennial country festivals will be that of Bristol, the details of which are not yet settled. Its recurrence will probably take place in October.

These particulars deal only with established performances; but the new year, it is expected, will not pass away without new efforts being made in the concertgiving, if not in the operatic world.

PRESENTATION TO MR. LAZARUS ON HIS

70th BIRTHDAY.

Readers will rejoice to hear that a "charming project " has just been carried out, to do honour to one of the brightest ornaments of the musical profession-Mr. Lazarus. By a "happy thought" of one of his oldest friends, a few ladies, his friends and pupils, united to present him with a small token of their great regard and esteem on the occasion of his 70th birthday-New Year's Day. The gift consisted of a diamond ring, engraved with Mr. Lazarus's initials and the date of presentation, to be worn as a souvenir; a silver-mounted purse (also engraved with his initials, &c.), containing the balance of the united contributions; and an album bearing name and date in gilt letters, in which was written the short address of congratulation and good wishes to Mr. Lazarus, and with the signature of every lady written therein. The names of many others would have been

The London Musical Society, now in its seventh sea-added if all his friends had been informed of this little son, will give two concerts-one on March 25th, the other on June 30th. Several interesting works will be given for the first time in England.

The Richter Concerts will open their eleventh season, at St. James's Hall, on Monday evening, April 20th, with the first of nine concerts.

Mr. Carl Rosa's London season will begin at Drury

effort to do him honour, but it was not possible to ascertain their addresses except from himself, and it was wished that this should be a pleasant surprise to him. That Mr. Lazarus may long enjoy health and strength for his profession, in which he so gladly gives pleasure to others, is the hearty wish of all his friends.—Musical World.

MR. AGUILAR'S PIANOFORTE RECITALS. The second recital, on Monday afternoon (Jan. 5th), was again fully attended; the performance lasted less than the (allotted) interval of an hour and a half. The scheme was as follows::Prelude and Fugue in E minor (Aguilar): Larghetto Maestoso and Allegro Spiritoso (J. E. German, R.A.M.); Harmonies du Soir (Etude), (Liszt); Sonata in D (Aguilar); Ballade, Op. 38 (Chopin); "Oft in the stilly night" (transcription), (Aguilar); Andante and Rondo Cappriccioso in E (Mendelssohn); "Contented" and Bolero (Aguilar).

BIRMINGHAM.

The most important musical event which has taken place since my last communication was, without dispute, the second of Mr. Stockley's orchestral concerts (Dec. 11th). The new "Welsh " Symphony of Mr. Cowen's proved a great attraction. The com poser conducted, and a very worthy performance his work received. The great interest of the work lies throughout in its varied and delicate orchestration. There is, at the same time, a continuous flow of that graceful melody so characteristic of the writer. The scherzo and the final movement seemed to make The Fugue in E minor deserves particular notice as a lucid the best impression, as far as could be judged in this way. piece of contrapuntal construction. Mr. Aguilar's Sonata, in Despite its tille, the work can hardly be accounted belonging to four movements, has been highly eulogized in these columns and the class of "programme-music." I am inclined to consider it elsewhere on previous occasions. The interest never flags, and an advance upon the "Scandinavian" Symphony, as being a the tunefulness of the work, throughout, is one striking charac- more balanced and perfect work, in respect to the unity of its teristic; so much so that the style of Schubert is occasionally several movements. Mr. Cowen received quite an ovation upon suggested. The adagio is in F sharp major, and the allegro the conclusion of the work. His charming suite de pieces, "The moderato (or intermezzo) in G minor. Mr. Aguilar's shorter language of flowers," was also performed once more on this effusions are well known. "Contented," in A major, proclaims occasion. Mr. Mackenzie was represented also by two selections its own tranquil acquiescence in the world as it "slides"; and his orchestral ballade, "La belle Dame sans Merci," and the the fiery Bolero in D minor supplied an effective climax to the aria, "Rise up my love," from "The Rose of Sharon" (sung recital. The second piece on the list, Mr. J. E. German's by Mr. Edward Lloyd). The subtle poetic charm of Keats's Larghetto and Allegro Spiritoso, has been already approved at poem, so admirably conveyed by the composer, made its suitable the Royal Academy and by distinguished professors; bold, solid, impression. Many of the purely musical qualities of the comand artistically constructed, it well deserved the prize. position escaped on a first hearing, but the total effect was a very Mr. Aguilar continued his remarks on "Learning the Piano-pleasing one, and I am inclined to think the audience well appreforte," and the short lecture was listened to with attention. The ciated the poetical intention of the work, as well as the simple third and last recital is appointed for Monday, January 19th. charm of its musical embodiment. A very interesting novelty in the programme was a quartet for trombones, by Adolphe Adam, performed by MM. Goddard, Bell, Hannan, and Engelman. Mdme. Rose Hersee, in her singing of "Una voce poco fa," displayed unimpaired the same lightness and brilliancy of tone as ever. She likewise sang Weber's polonaise aria, "If a youth' ("Der Freischütz"), and Benedict's "Scenes of my youth." Mr. Stockley had again the satisfaction to view a full and fashionable attendance.

HAMPSTEAD.

A. M.

The Vestry Hall on Monday night was crowded by an audience which listened with pleasure to the singing of carols, old and new, by the choir of Mr. Mackeson's mission chapel and the choral society connected with it under Captain White. Of the modern carols Dr. Steggall's "Manger Throne" may be mentioned as given with great effect; while the popular narrative carol "Good King Wenceslas" has rarely been given with Two very interesting concerts have been given at the Midland greater heartiness. In some introductory remarks before the Institute. At the earlier one (Nov. 6th) Mr. Stockley's Madrigal singing of "Christ was born on Christmas Day," Mr. Mackeson Choir again, with a choice selection of old and modern pieces of said that it preserved a curious piece of the Church's old tongue the glee and madrigal kind, including Walmsley's "Sweet in the middle of its English form, but that the day had happily flowers, ye were too fair"; Wilbye's "Lady, when I behold"; gone by when the use of a few words of Latin was thought Dowland's "Awake, sweet love"; and G. A. Micfarren's Papistical; and before the singing of "Through the Empyræan' "Sands of Dee." This choir numbers many of the best amateur he observed that while the music was by Mr. Farmer, of Harrow voices in the town, and Mr. Stockley has educated it to a most School, the words were by their friend who had just been trans-admirable degree of refinement. The choral pieces were relieved formed from a parochial clergyman into a dean. They rejoiced at the preferment of Mr. Bickersteth, not merely as an excellent clergyman, but as a good hymn-writer, and the carol which followed was no mean specimen of his poetic talent. Gounod's "Bethlehem," and some modern carols by Sullivan, Goss, and Elvey, with their effective harmonies, formed a pleasant variation on the ancient melodies from Helmore's collection, which were sung in unison. At the close of the carols Mr. Mackeson said a few words on the benefit to be gained from such a meeting, pointing out that a Roman Catholic, or a Protestant Dissenter of any denomination, with the single exception perhaps of the Unitarians, might have joined, without any difficulty, in the whole of the music sung during the evening, thus enabling "all who call themselves Christians" to meet on a common ground. With the singing of "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" and the Old Hundredth Psalm the gathering was brought to a close. There was not a vacant seat in the large hall, and many men were standing. The assembly mainly belonged to the working

classes.-Pall Mall Gazzette.

Berlioz's "Faust" was performed at Mr. Halle's concert last week, for the eighth time. Its power to attract is in no sense diminished, and it "draws" as largely as ever. The quartet of principals comprised Miss Mary Davies, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Santley, and Mr. Hilton, all of whom are almost identified with the work. Mr. Sims Reeves sang at Mr. De Jong's last concert with a power and vigour that have not been his for some years past. Herr Kayser, of Hagen, Westphalia, has been playing recently on the Town Hall organ. His style is that of the Kapellmeister, and his programmes chosen accordingly. He has all the mechanical accuracy to be expected from a first-rate organist, but the lack of variety in his performances does not suit our Euglish tastes.

I must say a good word for the pantomime music at the
Theatre Royal. It is really excellent, and reflects the greatest
credit on the conductor, Mr. John Crook,
C. J. H.

by some piano solos by Mr. R. Richard. His selections included Schumann's "Carnaval Scenes" and Weber's "Invitation to the Valse." M.s. Hall was the pianist at the concert on D. c. 6th. She played Handel's harpsichord suite, No. 14 in G, and with Herr Petterson and others in Spohr's Quinte, Op. 130. The concert opened with Mendelssohn's string quartet in D, Op. 44, No. I, admirably performed. A young lady amateur, Miss Poulton, with a pleasing, sympathetic voice, made her debut in songs by Schubert, Bennett, and Sullivan.

Mdme.

The Festival Choral Society gave an admirable performance of "Elijah" a little time ago, but their Christmas production of "The Messiah was not this time quite up to the usual standard, for which soloists were more to blame than chorus. The concert given the following evening (27th ult.) by the Philharmonic Union was, on the other hand, a decided artistic success. The parts I and 2 of the "Creation" were performed (with full band accompaniment), followed by a miscellaneous selection (secular). The choruses were thoroughly well delivered, balanced, crisp, and bright throughout. Dr. Heap started "The heavens are telling at a much slower rate than usual, gaining an increased effect by the gradual acceleration towards the end. same time a decided success. Mr. Harrison achieved good work Georgina Burns made here her first essay in oratorio, and at the in his part, his low D (variorum reading) in "Rolling in foaming billows," coming out with telling effect. Mr. Fredericks" of the Trocadero Concerts, Paris "was a sufficiently satisfactory tenor. He made a better impression afterwards in Gounod's "Lend me your aid "-that too much ridden battle-horse of tenors. As for Mdme. Burns, in her "Mignon" polacca, she roused the enthusiasm of her audience up to veritable continental pitch. She admiably consented to repeat the greater part of the air, cadenza included. The chorus and band opened the second part by a good smart rendering of the "Tannhäuser" March. I was sorry to see that the reserved portion of the auditorium contained some ugly, depressing gaps.

Mr. Hodson's "Golden Legend" had a very good performance, in the Town Hall, shortly before Christmas. I was not present, so cannot say much about it. The Birmingham and Midland Musical Guild held its first annual meeting, at the Grand Hotel, on the 20th ult. The secretary's report was a very encouraging one, and showed that the Guild, though so recently established, had already done some useful work. Papers have been read at meetings by Messrs. Charles Lunn, S. s. Swatton, and Dudley Lampen; early in the session a discussion was opened by Mr. C. J. Stevens, upon the desirability of procuring a better and more legally defined status of the musician, which was continued at the next meeting; and a Conversazione has been held, at which interesting musical objects were

exhibited. The promotion of social intercourse among musicians
(professional and amateur) is one of the chief objects of the Guild.
The Conversazione held at the Grand Hotel was largely and
fashionably attended, and unanimously voted a great success.
Some interesting papers are already promised for the next
session, and the Guild is pledged to take into earnest con-
sideration the proposition put forward by the president (Mr.
Stimpson) in an address made by him last session to the members
of the Guild-to found an Academy of Music in this town. The
notion has met with some sharp opposition on several hands; so
that, at all events, the Birmingham musicians may look forward
to some little excitement.
B. R.

BIRKENHEAD.

On Tuesday, Dec. 23rd, the Wirral Amateur Choral Society gave their first concert for the season before a large audience, who manifested their appreciation by frequent applause. The chorus was well balanced and gave evidence of careful training. The vocalists were Mdme. Billinie Porter, Miss Dalin, Mr. J. Wild, and Mr. A. Cleaver. The chief item in the first part was a cantata by Mr. F. T. Driffield, "My soul doth magnify the Lord," the soprano solo of which was well sung by Miss Dalin. There were also various other numbers in the first part. But the principal feature of the concert was centred in the second part, an excellent performance of Smart's "Bride of Dunkerron being given, the solos of which were beautifully rendered by Mdme. Porter, Mr. J. Wild, and Mr. A. Cleaver. Mr. E. T. Driffield presided at the piano, Mr. C. Collins at the organ, and Mr. Karl Meyder carefully conducted.

THE BADDELEY CELEBRATION.

The old-fashioned Baddeley Celebration at the historical great theatre, Drury Lane, has developed, under the splendid liberality of that prince of theatrical managers, into a splendid entertainment. In 1794, Baddeley, then an actor at Drury Lane Theatre, died, and by his will, amongst other curious bequests, left "One hundred pounds Three per Cent. Consolidated Bank Annuities, which produce three per cent., to purchase a Twelfth cake, with wine and punch, which the ladies and gen'lemen of Drury Lane are requested to partake of every Twelfth Night in the great green room." The ceremony here indicated was duly observed on Jan. 6th, a gigantic Twelfth cake standing on the stage being cut, af er a graceful speech by Mr. Fernandez. But the large company of celebrities of the theatrical, literary, and musical worlds were further sumptuously entertained at supper, the tables covering three sides of the great stage of "Old Drury." The excellent orchestra of the theatre supplied music; and a very enjoyable time was spent by the guests, who gratefully acknowledged the kind liberality of the famous manager, Mr. Augustus Harris.

Reviews.

Massenet's opera Manon
Bruges the other week.

was given successfully at

The Emperor of Russia has conferred the order of St. Stephen upon Signor Ponchiello,

The Schleswig-Holstein festival at Kiel this week will be conducted by Herr Joachim.

Herr Heinrich Hofmann recently completed the score of his new opera, "Donna Diana."

Ponchielli's "I Lituani" had at St. Petersburg a great success under its new title of "Aldona."

A new opera, "Nischegorodzi," by a Russian composer named Naprawnik, will shortly be given in Moscow, At Florence recently was brought out a new comic opera, "Un bacio al portatore," by Signor Tommaso

Montefiore.

A new four-act romantic opera, "Das steinerne Herz," by Theobald Rehbaum, will be produced before long at the Stadttheater, Magdeburg.

"Françoise de Rimini," the much admired opera of Ambroise Thomas, was received with great enthusiasm on its first production recently in Gand.

A new opera by the Polish composer Herr Zelenski will shortly be heard for the first time at Lemberg. It has for its subject "Konrad Wallenrod."

M. Jules Frédéric Faber, author of "L'Histoire du Théâtre Français en Belgique," died at Brussels on the 4th of December, at the early age of forty-seven.

The management of the Dresden Court Opera has accepted "Die Wette," a comic opera in one-act by a talented young composer Herr Alphons Maurice.

"Imilda" is the title of a grand opera in four-acts, the words by W. Smalt, the music by Thomas Verhey, down for performance at the German Ópera in Rotterdam.

director of the Brussels Conservatoire, was recently proQuentin Durward," an early opera by M. Gervaert, duced for the first time with fair success at Verviers.

The dramatic poet, Ernst von Wildenbruch, and Fräulein von Weber, a grand-daughter of the composer of "Der Freischütz," are engaged to be married shortly.

The first performance of Tschaikowski's opera, "Eugène Onegin" in St. Petersburg was enthusiastically applauded by a numerous audience, and the work is pronounced to be a success.

The appearance of the Meiningen Orchestra under Herr Hans von Bülow, at Vienna, has been accompanied by marked success and created great interest in musical circles there.

The sacred works of Herr Freiderick Kiel have attracted much attention lately in Vienna. These include oratorios, masses, etc., and Herr Kiel's music is said to be characterised by much earnestness and dignity.

A new opera, called "Hero," by a young German composer named Frank, has met with fair success at Berlin. The work appears to be after the Wagnerian school, but the libretto is singularly uninteresting.

125 Original and Popular Tunes. H. II. Pike.—A Manual La Gazetta Musicale has a portrait and highly appreof Church Music. A. Harvey. (Paul & Co., Southampton.)-ciative biographical notice of the young English pianist, With the stores of scholarly tunes, new and old, available for Eugen d'Albert, which duly recognises the young gentleuse, if the time has not arrived for protesting against the multi-man's English teachers and education. plication of tune-books by the so-called " composing" of numberless tunes to well known and popular hymns, one may surely urge that these "compositions should be something more than a stringing together of catching phrases which can hardly be called "original." It would seem now-a-days quite the fashion for "organists," amateur and other, to compose (save the mark) hymn tunes, litanies, and chants by the hundred. The originality" of this work will be at once apparent when it is said that scattered broadcast over it are phrases not so skilfully concealed but that they may be identified with tunes of Dr. Stainer, E. H. Turpin, J. B-rnby, Dr. Gauntlett, Sir J. Goss, Dr. Dykes, and Mr. Reuben B. Springer, who contributed upwards of others to be met with in most of the standard hymnals, beside £40,000 to the cause of music and art in Cincinnati, any number of plagiarisms from well known pieces, both sacred U.S., and founded the Concert Hall and College of Music and secular, not to mention adaptations from Messrs. Moody and Sankey. It would be as well for the "composer" to try the at his own cost, died December 10th, aged eighty-four. late Dr. Gauntlett's recipe for making a composer, A wealthy patron has offered to the Leipzig Conof exercises, and then burn them!" he would then doubtless be servatory of Music the gift of 300,000 marks (£15,000) able to avoid glaring examples of consecutive fifths and octaves, for the erection of a new building, on condition only that and compose more "original and popular" ideas than are the work shall be taken in hand not later than next here to be found.-"A Manual of Church Music," including April. "Fifty New Single and Double Chants," is another local publi cation. What would Battishill, Hayes, Cooke, and Woodward The Teatro Colon, Buenos Ayres, has been closed some say to some of these chants, could they return from their resting time after a very satisfactory season. The public have places? These productions are indeed full of plagiarisms from since patronised liberally the Teatro Nacional, where their works. Is it not time to remind composers that musical comic and buffo operas are played. Several concerts reminiscences are hardly wanted, and that even the humble have been given for the relief of the sufferers by the late chant calls for the exercise of more study than is to be seen in inundations. An Italian choral society, called the Donithe work now being alluded to? zetti Association, has been founded,

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