Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham Part 23

1808, Oct. 5 to 7. President, the Right Hon. Lord Guernsey. Nearly 200 performers, including Master Buggins (a Birmingham boy alto) Mr. J.J.

Goss (counter tenor), Signor Joseph Naldi (buffo), and Dr. Crotch, the conductor, organist and pianist. The last-named was a good player when only 3-1/2 years old. Receipts, 5,511 12s.; profits, 3,257.

1811, Oct. 2 to 4. President, Lord Bradford. Madame Catilni, Mrs.

Bianchi, and Mr. T.L. Bellamy first appeared here, as well as Mr. Samuel Wesley (John Wesley's nephew), as conductor and organist. Prices again raised, morning tickets being 20s. and 10s., with 10s. 6d. pit and 6s.

gallery at Theatre. Receipts, 6,680; profits, 3,629.

1814, Oct. 5 to 7. President, the Earl of Plymouth. Miss Stephens (afterwards Countess of Ess.e.x), Miss Travis, Vincent Novello (the publisher of after years), and Griesbach (oboeist), were among the "first appearances." Receipts, 7,171 12s.; profits, 3,629.

1817, Oct. 1 to 3. President, the Hon. Sir Charles Greville, K.C.B. Mrs.

Salmon, Madame Camporese, Mr. Hobbs (tenor), Monsieur Drouet (flautist), Mr. T. Harper (trumpet), and Mr. Probin (horn), took part in the performances. Receipts, 8,476; profits, 4,296 10s.

1820, Oct. 3 to 6. President, the Hon. Heneage Legge. The princ.i.p.al performers included Madame Vestris, Signora Corn, Miss Symends (a native of this town, and who continued to sing here occasionally for twenty years), Signor Begrez (tenor), Signor Ambrogetti (buffo ba.s.s), Mr.

R.N.C. Bocusa (harpist), Mr. Sha gool (violinist), Mr. Stanier (flautist), and Mr. Munde (viola player). The last two gentlemen were connected with this town until very late years. The chief novelty was the English version of Haydn's "Seasons," written by the Rev. John Webb, a local clergyman. Receipts, 9,483; profits, 5,001 11s.

1823, Oct. 7 to 10. President, Sir Francis Lawley, Bart. Among the fresh faces were those of Miss Heaton (afterwards Mrs. T.C. Salt), Signor Placci (baritone), Mr. Thome (ba.s.s), Mr. Nicholson (flute), and Signor Puzzi (horn). The Rev. John Webb wrote for this occasion, "The Triumph of Gideon," an English adaptation of Winter's "Timotos." Receipts, 11,115 10s.; profits, 5,806 12s.

1826, Oct. 4 to 7. President, Earl Howe. The programmes this year were more varied than at any previous festival, the performances, in addition to the "Messiah," including the oratorio "Joseph," by Mehul, selections from Graun's "Der Tod Jesu," Handel's "Judas Maccabeus," Haydn's "Seasons," &c. A number of the performers appeared here for their first time, including Madame Caradori, Miss Paton, Miss Bacon, Henry Phillips (the veteran and popular singer of later days, but who was then only in his 25th year), Signor Curioni (said to have borne a wonderful resemblance to Shakespeare in his figurehead and features), Signor de Begius, Mr. John Baptiste Cramer, C.G. Kiesewetter (who died the following year), Charles Augustus de Beriot (who married Madame Malibran-Garcia), and quite a host of local instrumentalists who were long chief among our Birmingham musicians. Receipts 10,104; profits 4,592.

1829, Oct. 6 to 9. President, the Earl of Bradford. This was the Jubilee Year of the General Hospital, and conspicuous in the programme was the "Jubilee Anthem" in commemoration of the fiftieth year of its establishment, the words being adapted to the music composed by Cherubini for Charles X.s coronation. This was also the last year in which the Festival performances took place in St. Philip's Church or (except several single nights of operatic selections) at the Theatre.

Besides the "Jubilee Anthem," there were novelties in the shape of Zingarelli's "Cantata Sacra" (described in a musical publication as a "tame, insipid, heap of commonplace trash"), and the introduction of "operatic selections" at the evening concerts. Amongst the performers who made their _debut_ in Birmingham were Madame Malibran-Garcia, Mdlle.

Blasis, Miss f.a.n.n.y Ayton, Signor Costa, Signor Guibelei, Mrs. Anderson (who gave pianoforte lessons to Princess Victoria), and Mr. Charles Lucas (violoncello). Receipts, 9,771; profits, 3,806 17s.

1834, Oct. 7 to 10. President, the Earl of Aylesford. This being the first Festival held in the Town Hall it may be noted that the prices of admission were for the morning performances, 21/-for reserved and 10/6 unreserved seats; in the evening, 15/- and 8/-; at the Theatre, boxes and pit, 15/-, gallery, 7/-; ball on Friday, 10/6. There were 14 princ.i.p.al vocalists, 33 in the semi-chorus, 187 in the full chorus, 147 instrumental performers, 2 conductors, 2 organists, and 1 pianist.

Besides the "Messiah," there was the new oratorio, "David," by Nerkomm (the first that was originally composed for our Festivals), selections from the same author's "Mount Sinai," from Spohr's "Last Judgment," from Handel's "Israel in Egypt," and an arrangement of Hummel's "Motet," &c.

This was the first introduction to the Festivals of Miss Clara Novello (afterwards Countess Gigliucci), Madame Stockhausen and her husband (harpist), Ignaz Moscheles, Mr. William Machin (a townsman), Miss Aston and Miss Bate (both Birmingham ladies), Mr. George Hollins (the first appointed Town Hall organist), and others. Receipts, 13,527; profits, 4,035.

1837, Sept. 19 to 22. President, Lord Willoughby de Broke. Mendelssohn's new oratorio, "St. Paul" (oft mistakenly supposed to have been specially written for the occasion), was the most important production, but Neukomm's "Ascension," Haeser's "Triumph of Faith," and several other new compositions were performed on this occasion. In addition to Mendelssohn's first appearance here as conductor, there were other new faces, among them being Madame Giula Grisi, Madame Emma Albertazzi, Mrs.

Albert Shaw, Signor Antonio Tamburini, Mr. Alfred Mellon (in his 17th year, but even then leader of the band at the Theatre), Signor Regondi (concertina player), &c. Receipts, 11,900, but, as besides more than usually heavy expenses, 1,200 was paid for building the recess in which the organ was placed, the profits were only 2,776.

1840, Sept. 22 to 25. President, Lord Leigh. The oratorio, "Israel in Egypt," by Handel, selections from his "Jephtha," and "Joshua," and Mendelssohn's "Hymn of Praise," were the great features of this Festival, at which appeared for the first time Madame Dorus-Gras, Miss M.B. Hawes, Signor Louis 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, &c. Among the new vocalists were Miss Rainforth, Signor Mario, Signer 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 Ba.s.sano, 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 "princ.i.p.als" 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 princ.i.p.al 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 ba.s.so), Signor Bottesini (double ba.s.s), 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 princ.i.p.al stangers were Madame Viardot-Garda, Miss Dolby, Signor Tamberlik, Herr Formes, Signor Belletti, Mr. Weiss, Signor Piatti (violoncello), Signer Bottisini (double ba.s.s), 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 "Tam O'Shanter," Macfarren's cantata "Lenora," and Mozart's "Requiem;" the fresh artistes being Madame Rudersdorf, Signor Gardoni, and Herr Reichardt. Receipts 12,745; profits, 3,108, in addition to 1,000 spent on decorating, &c., the Hall and organ.

1858, Aug. 31 to Sept. 3. President, the Earl of Dartmouth. The novelties included Mendelssohn's Hymn "Praise Jehovah," Beethoven's "Ma.s.s 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. Montem Smith, about a dozen instrumentalists belonging to the Festival Choral Society, and nearly seventy members of the Amateur Harmonic a.s.sociation, Mr. W.C.

Stockley filling the post of general chorus-master. This was the last year of the "Festival b.a.l.l.s." Receipts, 11,141; profits, 2,731.

1861, Aug. 27 to 30. President, the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot. The new introductions comprised Mdlle. t.i.tiens, Mdlle. Adelina Patti, Mdlle.

Lemmens-Sherrington, Miss Palmer, Signor Giuglini, Mr. Santley, and Miss Arabella G.o.ddard. Beethoven's "Ma.s.s in D," and Hummel's Motett "Alma Virgo" were part of the programme, which included not only the "Messiah"

and "Elijah," but also "Samson" and "The Creation," &c. Receipts, 11,453; profits, 3,043.

1864, Sept. 6 to 9. President, the Earl of Lichfield. Costa's "Naaman,"

Sullivan's "Kenilworth," Guglieml's "Offertorium," and Mozart's "Twelfth Ma.s.s" were produced. Mr. W.H. c.u.mmings made his first appearance.

Receipts, 13,777; profits, 5,256.

1867, Aug. 27 to 29. President, Earl Beauchamp. The novelties were Bennett's "Woman of Samaria," Gounod's "Messe Solonnelle," Benedict's "Legend of St. Cecilia," and Barnett's "Ancient Mariner." The new singers were Mdlle. Christine Nilsson and Madume Patey-Whylock.

Receipts, 14,397; profits, 5,541.

1870, Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. President, the Earl of Bradford. The new works were Barnett's "Paradise and the Peri," Benedict's "St. Peter," and Hiller's "Nala and Damayanti," Mdlle. Ilma de Murska, Mdlle. Drasdil, Miss Edith Wynne (Eos Cymru), Signor Foli, and Mr. Vernon Rigby making their _debut_ as Festival singers. Receipts, 14,635; profits, 6,195.

1873, Aug. 25 to 28. President, the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot. The most important of the novelties were Sullivan's "Light of the World,"

and Schira's "Lord of Burleigh," but the greatest attraction of all was the patronising presence of royalty in the person of the Duke of Edinburgh. Receipts, 16,097; profits, 6,391.

1876, Aug. 29 to Sept. 1. President, the Marquis of Hertford. Herr Wagner's "Holy Supper," Mr. Macfarren's "Resurrection," Mr. F.H. Cowen's "Corsair," and Herr Gade's "Zion" and "Crusaders" were the pieces now first introduced, the artistes being all old friends, with the exception of Mr. E. Lloyd. Receipts, 15,160; profits. 5,823.

1879, Aug. 26 to 20. President, Lord Norton. The fresh compositions consisted of Herr Max Bruch's "Lay of the Bell," Rossini's "Moses in Egypt," Saint-Saens' "The Lyre and Harp," and Dr. C.S. Heap's "Overture in F." First appearances included Madame Gerster, Miss Anna Williams, Mr. Joseph Maas, and Herr Henschel, Receipts, 11,729; profits, 4,500.

1882, Aug. 29 to Sep. 1. President, Lord Windsor. On this occasion Madame Roze-Mapleson, Miss Eleanor Farnel, Mr. Horrex, Mr. Campion, and Mr. Woodhall, first came before a Festival audience. The list of new works comprised Gounod's "Redemption," Gaul's "Holy City," Gade's "Psyche," Benedict's "Graziella," Mr. C.H. Parry's "Symphony in G Major." Brahm's "Triumphed," with a new song and a new march by Gounod.

Receipts, 15,011; profits, 4,704.

1885. Aug.25 to 28.--President: Lord Brooke. The princ.i.p.al performers were Madame Albani, Mrs. Hutchinson, Miss Anna Williams, Madame Patey, Madame Trebelli; Messrs. Edward Lloyd, Joseph Maas, Santley, Signor Foli. Herr Richter was the conductor. Works performed were:--Oratorio, "Elijah"; new Cantata, "Sleeping Beauty"; new Oratorio, "Mors et Vita"; new cantata, "Yule Tide"; Oratorio, "Messiah"; new Cantata, "The Spectre's Bride"; new Oratorio, "The Three Holy Children."

~Music Halls.~--Mr. Henry Holder is often said to have been the first who opened a public room of this kind, but there had been one some years before at the George and Dragon, corner of Weaman Street, Steelhouse Lane, which was both popular and respectably conducted.--See "_Concert Halls_."

~Musical Instruments.~--Our grandfathers and grandmothers were content with their harps and harpsichords, their big and little fiddles, with trumpets and drums, horns, oboes, ba.s.soons, and pipes. Clarionets were not introduced into the Festival bands until 1778; the double-ba.s.s kettle-drums came in 1784; trombones in 1790; flutes, with six or more keys, were not known until 1802; serpents appeared in 1820; flageolets in 1823; the ophicleide was brought in 1829, and the monster specimens in 1834, which year also saw the introduction of the piccolo; the bombardon not coming until 1843. Pianofortes were first known in England in 1767, but when first played in Birmingham is uncertain; the first time the instrument is named in a Festival programme was 1808, but the loan of a grand by Mr. Tomkinson, a London maker, in 1817, was an event thought deserving of a special vote of thanks.

~Musical Notabilities~ of the highest calibre have been frequent visitors here, at the Festivals and at the Theatres, though the native-born sons of song who have attained high rank in the profession number but few. Under "_Musical Festivals_" appear the names of all the leading artistes who have taken part in those world-known performances, the dates of their first appearances being only given, and in like manner in the notice of our "_Theatres_" and "_Theatrical Celebrities_"

will be chronicled the advents of many celebrated "stars" who have trod our local boards. Considering the position he long held in the musical world, the introduction of Sir Michael Costa to Birmingham has sufficient interest to be here noted. Signor Costa had been sent by his friend Zingarelli to conduct his "Cantata Sacra" at the Festival of 1829. The managers, however, thought so very little of the young gentleman's appearance (he was but nineteen) that they absolutely refused him permission to do so, only allowing his expenses on condition that he went among the singers. It was of no use his telling them that he was a conductor and not a singer, and he had nervously to take the part a.s.signed him. On returning to London, he quickly "made his mark,"

and fell into his right place of honour and credit.

~Musical Services.~--The first of a series of week-night musical services for the people took place at St. Luke's Church, September 10, 1877, the instruments used being the organ, two kettle-drums, two trumpets, and two trombones. This was by no means an original idea, for the followers of Swedenborg had similar services as well in their Chapel in Paradise Street (on site of Queen's College), as in Newhall Street and Summer Lane.

~Mysteries of Past History.~--It was believed that a quant.i.ty of arms were provided here by certain gentlemen favourable to the Pretender's cause in 1745, and that on the rebels failing to reach Birmingham, the said arms were buried on the premises of a certain manufacturer, who for the good of his health fled to Portugal. The fact of the weapons being hidden came to the knowledge of the Government some sixty years after, and a search for them was intended, but though the name of the manufacturer was found in the rare books of the period, and down to 1750, the site of his premises could not be ascertained, the street addresses not being inserted, only the quarter of the town, thus: "T.

S.---- Digbath quarter." The swords, &c., have remained undiscovered to the present day.--M 10, 1864, while excavations were being made in the old "Castle Yard," in High Street the skeletons of three human beings were found in a huddled position about 2-1/2 ft. from the surface.--The Old Inkleys were noted for the peculiar character (or want thereof) of its inhabitants, though why they buried their dead beneath their cellar floors must remain a mystery. On October 29, 1879, the skeleton of a full-grown man was found underneath what had once been the site of a house in Court No. 25 of the Old Inkleys, where it must have lain at least 20 years.

~Nail Making.~--See "_Trades_."

~Natural History~ and Microscopical Society was formed in January, 1858.

The first meeting of the Midland Union of Natural History, Philosophical, and Archaeological Societies and Field Clubs was held at the Midland Inst.i.tute, May 27, 1878.

~Nech.e.l.ls.~--There is, or was, a year or two back, a very old house, "Nech.e.l.ls Hall," still in existence, where at one period of their history, some of the Holte family resided.

~Needless Alley~ is said to have been originally called Needles Alley from a pin and needle makers' shop there.

~Nelson.~--Boulton struck a line medal in commemoration of the Battle of Trafalgar, and by permission of the Government gave one to every person who took part in the action; flag-officers and commanders receiving copies in gold, lieutenants, &c., in silver, and the men, bronze. Being struck for this purpose only, and not for sale, the medal is very scarce.--See "_Statues_."

~New Hall.~--One of the residences of the Colmore family, demolished in 1787, the advertis.e.m.e.nt announcing the sale of its materials appearing July 2 that year. It is generally believed that the house stood in exact line with Newhall Street, and at its juncture with Great Charles Street; the houses with the steps to them showing that the site between, whereon the Hall stood, was lowered after its clearance.

~Newhall Hill.~--Famous for ever in our history for the gatherings which have at times taken place thereon, the most important of which are those of 1819, July 12, to elect a "representative" who should _demand_ admittance to, and a seat in, the House of Commons, whether the Commons would let him or no. For taking part in this meeting, George Edmonds, Major Cartwright, and some others, were put on their trial. A "true bill" was found on August 9th, but the indictment being removed to King's Bench, the trial did not take place till August 7, 1820, the sentence of 12 months' imprisonment being pa.s.sed May 28, 1821.--In 1832, May 14, nearly 200,000 persons present, Mr. Thomas Attwood presiding.