Giacomo Meyerbeer Meets Charles Dickens at Julius Benedict's Concert in London
From a London Newspaper article, 1855.
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London Times Review of Le prophete (1849)
By Clarissa Lablache
Mr. Benedict* gave a grand musical entertainment at his residence in Manchester square, in honour of the illustrious composer of Les Huguenots, on Thursday evening, to which considerably more than 100 fashionable, distinguished, and well-known persons were invited. At dinner, M. Meyerbeer met Mr. Charles Dickens, and a select party; and shortly afterwards the salons were crowded with visitors. The following programme of vocal and instrumental music was performed: --
PARTE PRIMA :
Marche Aux Flambeaux (Meyerbeer) ----------------Lindsay Sloper
and Benedict
Air: "Achetez,achetez" (Meyerbeer) L'ETOILE DU
NORD -----------Signor Gardoni
Trio: "Pensa e guarda" (Meyerbeer) MARGHERITA
D'ANJOU --------Signor F. Lablache Ciabatta, and Belletti .
Romanza: (Meyerbeer)
---------------------------------------------Mdlle. Marai
Air : "Ah come rapida" (Meyerbeer) IL
CROCIATTO) ----------------Mad. Bosio
Duo: "Si mei credi "(Meyerbeer) L'Esule di
Granata ----------Mad. Falconi, Signor Belletti
Lieder and Valse, ( Mendelssohn and Chopin)
----------------------- M. Halle
PARTE SECONDA
Solo: violoncello Sig.
Piatti---------------------------------------Signor Piatti
Romanza : (Meyerbeer)
----------------------------------------------- Mad. Novello
Pastorale, "Un impero" (Meyerbeer) LE
PROPHETE--------------------Signor Belletti
Solo: Harp, (Thomas)
---------------------------------------------Mr. John
Thomas
Piano: Messrs. Linsdsay Sloper Benedict and Pinsuti
"M. Meyerbeer appeared much pleased with the music and with
marked attention he received from his courteous host and eminent
compatriot, and indeed from everyone present -- especially who
presented a dazzling array of beauty."
Fashionable London concerts in the
Victorian age, always featured the popular musical pieces written
by the composers of the time, and catchy arias from the latest
operatic successes at Her Majesty's Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre
and the Royal Italian Opera at Covent Garden. The year of 1855
was no different. In this private concert L'Etoile du nord
was heavily featured. The Romance "va dit elle" from Robert
le Diable, sung by Clara Novello and Fanny Marai was a
favorite concert piece since about 1840, when soprano Dorus Gras
sang it. So was the Air: "En vain j'espere, idol de ma
vie" in England, and the Romanza: "Quoi Napthali"
sung in concert by Giulia Grisi, the most sought after soprano of
the time. In some concerts Meyerbeer took his place alongside
Beethoven's "quartetto" from Fidelio, Mozart's
arias from the Zauberflote and popular arias from Nozze
di Figaro. Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini's arias all were
beloved by Victorians during the fifties. Concerts encouraged
social intercourse, and London's affluent society indulged
themselves constantly, morning, afternoon, and evening. Mutible
choices were presented everywhere, from huge public affairs, to
tiny gatherings in local halls, pubs, or private houses of the
rich titled hostesses who lived out their lives entertaining.
Few could forget the popularity of Meyerbeer in England after the
success at Her Majesty's of Roberto il diavolo. Jenny lind
as Alice created a furor, her reception was overpowering. The
London Illustrated News, wrote: "We never heard anything
more delicious than the sustained notes which commence her first
cavatina, 'Va did elle' full and clear, and bell like, and then
dying off to the faintest whisper. This song was interruped by a
thunder of applause, above which, how ever could be heard the
stentorian "bravo" of the great Lablache, who was
sitting immovable in his box, then like one entranced, suddenly
jumped up, as if unable to control his feelings and applauded
furiously." It was well known that Lablache had recommended
Jenny Lind to the manager Lumley of Her Majesty's Theatre.
* Sir. Julius Benedict was a muti-talented individual, and a
contemporary and close friend of Lablache, Meyerbeer, Rossini,
Bellini and Donizetti. Julius Benedict was born in Stuttgart
Germany, and was renown as conductor, composer, teacher, writer
and pianist. First after leaving Germany he made his home in
Naples and Paris. But, at the suggestion of Maria Malibran and
Luigi Lablache, who were close friends, he moved to London for
the rest of his life. Very active in British concert halls, he
conducted the talents of almost every important singer during his
lifetime. Remembered for conducting Jenny Lind's first London
oratorio appearance - Elijah in 1848, and he conducted
many of her concerts tours in Britain with bass baritone
Frederick Lablache.
Clarissa Lablache (April 10, 1998)
Copyright 1998 Clarissa Lablache
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