‘The two fountains,’ by Mr. Bishop, is a sweet, quiet melody in E, six-eight time. The contrast expressed in the following notes is a happy thought:—
but in character certainly not suited to sentiments so far removed from gaiety.
‘They are gone,’ said to be a Greek air, is expressive, though the musical rhythm is of a kind that will distress an ear which only delights in regular measure. Nevertheless there is something remarkably touching in the conclusion of each stanza, and as a whole this song will infallibly please.
‘Maidens of Zia,’ a trio for soprano, tenor, and base, by Mr. Moore, sets up no pretensions as a composition, lays no claim to science, and consists of nothing but the plainest counterpoint—but will operate as a charm on nine out of every ten who listen to its simple strains.
We now commence the SECOND EVENING.
Rumours have reached the isle of Zea, that the youthful warriors are on their return home, and every female bosom beats high with hope, not unmixed with anxiety. The maidens sing a hymn to the Virgin,—to ‘Mary, star of the sea[42],’ a trio, beginning, ‘When evening shades are falling,’ the music by Mozart, but from which of his works we are not able to say, or even to guess; we should certainly not have ascribed it to him, had it been printed anonymously. The air is in a pleasing, familiar style, and the parts run smoothly and agreeably together, which is all the praise we can afford, notwithstanding the illustrious name it bears.
‘Blest be Love!’ is a short, good, frequently repeated chorus for the same voices, with an intervening solo for each, by Mr. Bishop.