Carl Maria von Weber’s Benefit Concert
London: New Argyll Rooms—Time: Evening, Half Past Eight o’Clock
Tickets: 10s. 6d.; Boxes available
✗Programme
| *Mayseder Violin Variations in E major | Mr. Kiesewetter | Kiesewetter |
| *Flute Variations based on an air from Oberon | Mr. Fürstenau | |
| *Overture, Euryanthe | Weber | |
| Part I | ||
| Cantata, ‘Festival of Peace’ (MS) (first time performance in the country) | Mme Caradori, Miss H. Cawse, Messrs. Braham, Phillips and the Chorus | Weber |
| Quartet and Chorus, ‘Twine with the branch of the Olive the wheat-ear’ | Haydn | |
| Violin Fantasia | Mr. Kiesewetter | |
| Part II | ||
| Overture, Oberon | Weber | |
| ‘Misera me!’ | Miss Paton | Weber |
| Free Piano Fantasia incl. airs from Der Freischütz | Mr. Moscheles | |
| Air | Miss Stephens | Weber |
| From Der Freischütz: Grand Scena | Mr. Braham | Weber |
| Principal Vocalists: Mme Caradori-Allan, Miss Stephens; Messrs. Braham, Phillips, Signor Curioni |
| Principal Instrumentalists: Messrs. F. Cramer, Moscheles, Nicholson, Puzzi, Wesley, Willman |
| Leaders: Mr. Franz Cramer (Part I), Mr. Nicolas Mori (Part II); Conductor: Baron Carl Maria von Weber |
———————————
Encore: Cantata, ‘Festival of Peace’— Mme Caradori, Miss H. Cawse, Braham, Phillips and the Chorus—Weber
Charlotte: ‚Der 26. Mai, der Tag des Weber’schen Concerts, bleibt mir ewig unvergesslich…denn der Meister, dem Erlöschen schon nahe, hatte grosse Anstrengungen gemacht, um eine Aufführung in den Argyll-rooms zu veranstalten, und sein Concert ging dennoch vor einem leeren Saal vor sich! Musikfreunde und die Presse suchten in ihrer Entrüstung diese Vernachlässigung vom Publicum ab und auf äussere Umstände hinzulenken; und da fanden sie, Begrez, der parfümirte Salonsänger habe an demselben Abend ein Privat-Concert bei der Herzogin von St. Albans gegeben, und die fashionable Welt absorbirt; Epsom races, dieses vielbesuchte Pferderennen sei gerade mit seinem Haupttag (the Derby) auf diesen 26. Mai gefallen, und den besuche unfehlbar die grosse Welt, während der Mittelstand sich an die Opern des so populär gewordenen Meisters halte, und keine Schuld an dieser Vernachlässigung seines Unternehmens trage. Genug, Weber musste vor leeren Bänken spielen! Er dirigirte die nie fehlende Ouvertüre zu „Oberon” und „Euryanthe”, seine noch unbekannte Cantate „The festival of peace” und eine neue für Miss Stephens componirte, und von ihr gesungene Ballade; Braham effectuirte in der Freischütz-Arie, Fürstenau blies zum ersten Mal Variationen über ein Thema aus Oberon, Kiesewetter spielte seine unvermeidlichen Mayseder-Variationen in E-dur, und Moscheles nahm als Grundlage seiner Improvisation ein Thema aus der Cantate, das einen Hervorruf gehabt hatte und das er mit Motiven aus dem „Freischütz“ verwebte. Mme. Caradori und Braham sangen die Soli inder Cantate‘.[1]
AML I, 122.
[1] This is also found in RMM on pages 83-84, yet Coleridge fails to translate some information and gives the wrong date of the concert (May 20 instead of 26).
Letter: Ignaz Moscheles to Max Maria von Weber
Leipzig den 15. Sept. 1861
….Am 20. Mai machte ich ihm [C. M. von Weber] wieder einen Besuch, um ihn für die Vorbereitungen zu seinem Concerte am 26sten Mai meine Dienste anzubieten. Er sagte mir gerührt, wie liebenswürdig ihm seine Kunstfreunde, Sänger und Sängerinnen entgegen kämen, um sein Programm auszufüllen, daß er die Aufführung seiner Cantate “The Festival of Peace” einzustudiren u. aufzuführen gedächte, daß aber an sein Klavierspiel nicht zu denken sei. Er ersuchte mich daher, ein Solo zu spielen, welches ich ihm auch zusagte u. somit nächst den Vorträgen von Fürstenau u. Kiesewetter (Violine) die Instrumental-Stücke besetzt waren.
….Am 26sten Mai fand das Concert statt in den Argyll-Rooms. Aber empörend war es für seine Freunde und Verehrer, daß der Saal kaum 2/3tel gefüllt war. Epsom Races, schlechtes Wetter, das an diesem Tage überfüllte Morgen-Concert des Sängers Begrez beim Herzog St. Alban, sollen die Ursachen davon gewesen sein. Daß die in dem beiliegenden Program gegebenen Werke von W. [C. M. von Weber] enthusiastisch ausgeführt und ebenso aufgenommen wurden, versteht sich von selbst. Der Chor der Cantate mit folgendem Anfang:
[Sample Notation: 4 Takte Notenbeispiel]
mußte wiederholt werden. In meiner Improvisation verwebte ich den Hauptgedanken dieses Chors mit einigen Reminiscenzen aus dem Freischütz. – Seit diesem Concerte wurde sein Zustand immer bedenklicher, und er litt still u. ruhig, ohne zu klagen.
[Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin—Preußischer Kulturbesitz (D-B): Weberiana Cl. V (Mappe XVIII), Abt. 4 A, Nr. 13 A.]
Advertisements
The Courier (May 3, 1826): 1.
CARL MARIA VON WEBER CONCERT most respectfully announces to the Nobility, Gentry, and the Public, that his CONCERT will take place at the Argyll Rooms, on Friday Evening, May 26, when will be performed, for the first time in this country, a new (M.S.) Cantata, entitled the FESTIVAL of PEACE and PLENTY, the Music by C. M. Von Weber: the words translated and adapted by Hampden Napier, Esq. Leaders of the Band—for the first Act, Mr. F. Cramer; for the Second Act, Mr. Mori—Conductor, C. M. Von Weber. Tickets, Half a Guinea each, can be had at the principal Music Shops, and of Mr. Weber, 91, Great Portland-street, by whom, on an early application, parties of six and upwards can be accommodated with Boxes.
The Morning Post, (May 3, 1826): 1.
CARL MARIA VON WEBER CONCERT most respectfully announces to the Nobility, Gentry, and the Public, that his CONCERT will take place at the Argyll Rooms, on FRIDAY EVENING, May 26th, when will be performed, for the first time in this country, a new (MS.) Cantata, entitled the FESTIVAL of PEACE and PLENTY; the Music by C. M. Von Weber, the words translated and adapted by Hampden Napier, Esq. Leaders of the Band: for the First Act, Mr. F. Cramer ; for the Second Act, Mr. Mori ; Conductor, C. M. Von Weber. Tickets, Half-a-guinea each, can be had at the principal Music Shops; and of Mr. Weber, 91, Great Portland-street, by whom, on an early application, Parties of Six and upwards can be accommodated with Boxes.
John Bull (May 7, 1826): 145.
CARL MARIA VON WEBER CONCERT most respectfully announces to the Nobility, Gentry, and the Public, that his CONCERT will take place at the ARGYLL ROOMS, on FRIDAY EVENING, May 26th, when will be rerformed [sic], for the first time in this country, a new (MS.) Cantata, entitled “The Festival of Peace and Plenty,” the Music by C. M. Von Weber, the Words translated and adapted by Hampden Napier, Esq. Leaders of the Band—for the first Act, Mr. F. Cramer; for the second Act, Mr. Mori. Conductor, C. M. Von Weber. Tickets, Half-a-guinea each, can be had at the principal Music shops; and of Mr. Weber, 91, Great Portland-street, by whom, on an early application, parties of six and upwards can be accommodated with Boxes.
The Morning Post, (May 19, 1826): 1.
CARL MARIA VON WEBER’S CONCERT, at the Argyll Rooms, on FRIDAY EVENING, May 26.—C. M. VON WEBER most respectfully announces to the Nobility, Gentry, and the Public, that his CONCERT will take place as above, aided by the great talents of the following eminent Performers, all of whom have most kindly promised their powerful assistance :—Madame Caradori Allan, Miss H. Cawse, Mr. Braham, and Mr. Phillips, will sing in a new (MS.) Grand Cantata, entitled THE FESTIVAL of PEACE, (first time of performance in this country) ; the Music by C. M. Von Weber, the words translated and adapted expressly for this occasion, by Hampden Napier, Esq. This Cantata will form the first part of the Concert. The Second will consist of a Miscellaneous Act, in which Miss Stephens, Miss Paton, and Mr. Sapio, with equal kindness, have consented to sing; and also, Mr. Moscheles to play extemporaneously on the Pianoforte; Mr. Furstenau, a new Air (from Oberon), with variations for the Flute; and Mr. Kiesewetter, a Fantasia on the Violin.—The Orchestra will be on a grand scale. Leaders of the Band: for the First Part, Mr. F. Cramer ; for the Second Part, Mr. Mori. The Chorus will be complete, assisted by the Young Gentlemen of his Majesty’s Chapel Royal, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Conductor, C. M. Von Weber. Tickets, Half-a-guinea each, and Bills of the Concert, (which will commence at Half-past Eight o’Clock), to be had at the principal Music Shops; and of Mr. Weber, 91, Great Portland-street. Parties of Six and upwards can be accommodated with Boxes, by an early application to Mr. Weber.
The Courier (May 20, 1826): 1.
CARL MARIA VON WEBER’S CONCERT, at the Argyll Rooms, on FRIDAY EVENING next—C. M. VON WEBER most respectfully announces to the Nobility, Gentry, and the Public, that his CONCERT will take place as above, aided by the great talents of the following eminent Performers, all of whom have most kindly promised their powerful assistance:—Madame Caradori Allan, Miss H. Cawse, Mr. Braham, and Mr. Phillips, will sing in a new (MS.) Grand Cantata, entitled “The Festival of Peace,” (first time of performance in this country), the Music by C. M. Weber, and the words translated and adapted expressly for this occasion, by Hampden Napier, Esq. This Cantata will form the first part of the Concert. The second will consist of a Miscellaneous Act, in which Miss Stephens, Miss Paton, and Mr. Sapio, with equal kindness, have consented to sing; and also, Mr. Moscheles to play extemporaneously on the Piano Forte, Mr. Furstenau, a new Air (from Oberon), with Variations for the Flute, and Mr. Kiesewetter, a Fantasia on the Violin.—The Orchestra will be on a grand scale. Leaders of the Band—for the First Part, Mr. F. Cramer; for the Second Part, Mr. Mori. The Chorus will be complete, assisted by the young Gentlemen of his Majesty’s Chapel Royal, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Conductor, C. M. Von Weber.
Tickets, Half-a-Guinea each, and Bills of the Concert (which will commence at Half-past Eight o’Clock), to be had at the principal Music Shops, and of Mr. Weber, 91, Great Portland-street.—Parties of six, and upwards can be accommodated with boxes, by an early application to Mr. Weber.
John Bull (May 21, 1826): 161.
CARL MARIA VON WEBER’S CONCERT, at the ARGYLL ROOMS, on FRIDAY EVENING, May 26.—C. M. Von Weber most respectfully announces to the Nobility, Gentry, and the Public, that his CONCERT will take place as above, aided by the great talents of the following eminent performers, all of whom have most kindly promised their powerful assistance :—Madame Caradori Allan, Miss H. Cawse, Mr. Braham, and Mr. Phillips, will sing in a new (MS.) Grand Cantata entitled “The Festival of Peace,” (first time of performance in this country), the Music by C. M. Von Weber, the Words translated and adapted expressly for this occasion by Hampden Napier, Esq. This Cantata will form the first part of the Concert.—The second will consist of a Miscellaneous Act, in which Miss Stephens, Miss Paton, and Mr. Sapio, with equal kindness have consented to sing; as also Mr. Moscheles to play Extemporaneously on the Piano-forte; Mr Furstenau, a new Air (from Oberon) with Variations for the Flute; and Mr Kiesewetter, a Fantasia on the Violin.—The Orchestra will be on a grand scale. Leaders of the Band—for the first Part, Mr F. Cramer; for the second Part, Mr. Mori. The Chorus will be complete, assisted by the young Gentlemen of his Majesty’s Chapel Royal and St Paul’s Cathedral. Conductor, C. M. Von Weber.—Tickets, Half-a-Guinea each, and Bills of the Concert (which will commence at half-past Eight o’clock), to be had at the principal Music shops, and of Mr. Weber, 91 Great Portland-street. Parties of six and upwards can be accommodated with Boxes by an early application to Mr. Weber.
The Examiner (May 21, 1826): 333.
CARL MARIA VON WEBER’S CONCERT at the ARGYLL ROOMS, on FRIDAY Evening, May 26.—C. M. VON WEBER most respectfully announces to the Nobility, Gentry, and the Public, that his Concert will take place as above, aided by the great talents of the following eminent Performers, all of whom have most kindly promised their powerful assistance : Madame Caradori Allan, Miss H. Cawse, Mr Braham, and Mr Phillips, will sing in a new (MS.) grand Cantata, entitled, the Festival of Peace (first time of performance in this country) ; the Music by C. M. Von Weber ; the words translated and adapted, expressly for this occasion, by Hampden Napier, Esq.: this Cantata will form the first part of the Concert : the second will consist of a Miscellaneous Act, in which Miss Stephens, Miss Paton, and Mr Sapio, with equal kindness, have consented to sing ; and also Mr Moscheles to play extemporaneously on the Piano-forte; Mr Fürstondu, a new Air (from Oberon) with Variations for the Flute, and Mr Kiesewetter, a Fantasia on the Violin—The Orchestra will be on a grand scale : Leaders of the Band, for the First Part, Mr F. Cramer ; for the Second Part, Mr Mori. The Chorus will be complete, assisted by the young Gentlemen of his Majesty’s Chapel Royal and St Paul’s Cathedral. Conductor, C. M. Von Weber.—Tickets, Half-a-Guinea each, and Bills of the Concert (which will commence at Half-past Eight o’clock) to be had at the principal Music shops and of M. Weber, 91 Great Portland street.—Parties of six and upwards can be accommodated with Boxes by an early application to M. Weber.
The Courier (May 22, 1826): 1.
[Same as issued in The Courier on May 20]
The Morning Post (May 22, 1826): 1.
[Same as issued in The Morning Post on May 19]
The Times (May 23, 1826): 1.
CARL MARIA VON WEBER’s CONCERT, at the Argyll Rooms, on Friday evening, May 26.—CARL MARIA VON WEBER most respectfully announces to the nobility, gentry, and the public, that his CONCERT will take place as above, aided by the great talents of the following eminent performers, all of whom have most kindly promised their powerful assistance. Madame Caradori Allan, Miss H. Cawse, Mr. Braham and Mr. Phillips, will sing in a new (M.S.) Grand Cantata, entitled, the Festival of Peace (first time of performance in this country); the music by Carl Von Weber; the words translated and adapted expressly for this occasion by Hampden Napier, esq. This cantata will form the first part of the concert. The second will consist of a miscellaneous act, in which Miss Stephens, Miss Paton, and Mr. Sapio, with equal kindness, have consented to sing. And also Mr. Moscheles to play extemporaneously on the pianoforte; Mr. Furstenau a new air (from Oberon) with variations for the flute, and Mr. Kiesewetter a fantasia on the violin. The orchestra will be on a grand scale; leaders of the band, for the first part, Mr. F. Cramer; for the second part, Mr. Mori. The chorus will be complete, assisted by the young gentlemen of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Conductor, C. M. Von Weber. Tickets half a guinea each; and bills of the concert (which will commence at half past 8 o’clock) to be had at the principal music shops; and of Mr. Weber, 91, Great Portland-street. Parties of six and upwards can be accommodated with boxes by an early application to Mr. Weber.
The Morning Post, (May 25, 1826): 1.
CARL MARIA VON WEBER’S CONCERT. The Nobility, Gentry, and Public are respectfully acquainted that C. M. VON WEBER’S CONCERT will take place TO-MORROW (Friday), at the Argyll Rooms. To commence at Half-past Eight o’Clock. Tickets, Half-a-Guinea each, can be had of C. M. Von Weber, No. 91, Great Portland-street; and at the Principal Music-shops.
Reviews
The Globe and Traveller (May 24, 1826): 4.
Last evening Carl Maria Von Weber took his benefit at the Argyll Rooms, upon which occasion a new MS. Cantata was produced, entitled “The Festival of Peace,” the poetry written expressly for this occasion by Hampden Napier—the music of course by the Baron. It is impossible to withhold the highest praise to this production, combing as it does, the wild, the pathetic, and the sublime. The solo and harmonized parts were most ably executed by Mad. Caradori, Miss H. Cawse, Mr. Braham, and Mr. Phillips, and the choruses were very powerfully sustained. Although Miss Paton, Mr. Braham, and other eminent performers, lent their aid on this occasion, there was a very thin attendance, the room not being much more than half filled. We regret to see the very bad state of health under which this eminent composer at present labours. At the conclusion of the performance he threw himself on a sofa, in the last stage of exhaustion.
The Morning Post, (May 29, 1826): [3].
CARL MARIA VON WEBER’S CONCERT.
This eminent Composer gave a Concert at the Argyll Rooms, on Friday evening which opened with a M.S. Cantata of his own, called “Festival of Peace,” in which BRAHAM and PHILLIPS, Madame CARADORI, and Miss H. CAWSE took the principal parts assisted by a numerous Chorus, and an excellent band led by CRAMER. The Cantata is a very beautiful composition, and calculated to please, particularly a Quartette and Chorus commencing “Twine with the branch of the Olive the wheat-ear,” the subject of the allegro is much in style of the second movement in BRAHAM’S popular duet of “When thy bosom’—it was rapturously encored.
At the end of the first part KIESEWETTER performed a fantasia on the violin beautifully. The second part, led by Mori, commenced with the fine overture to OBERON, charmingly executed. Miss PATON sung “Misera Me!” in her best style, and MOSCHELES performed extemporaneously on the piano- forte, introducing several popular airs from Der Freischutz—and concluding with the subject of the chorus, which had just been sung—to the infinite gratification of the company.
Miss STEPHENS sung a beautiful air, composed expressly for her by WEBER, the words from MOORE’S Lalla Rookh “From Chindara’s warbling fount I come,” with her accustomed sweetness. BRAHAM gave the grand scena from Freischutz, with all the expression, pathos, and energy which it requires.
WEBER, to show his gratitude, offered to conduct the overture to Der Freischutz at Miss STEPHENS’ benefit to-morrow night; but she, in consideration of the bad state of his health, with a sympathy that does credit to her sweet little heart. Would not suffer him to fatigue himself; he however insists on testifying his regards towards MORI, by conducting his Grand Jubilee Overture at that eminent performer’s Concert, on Friday night.
By the live, it is a curious fact, that our four principal Leaders viz. CRAMER, SPAGNOLETTI, KIESEWETTER and MORI, lack, what a Cockney would call Air [hair][1] for each is more or less bald—and JOHN LODER, of Bath, another LEADER, although a young man, possesses “silvery locks”—with the exception of SPAGNOLETTI, they were all present on Friday night.
[1] Not editorial.
Saunders’s News-Letter (May 30, 1826): 1.
[Same as review by The Globe and Traveller on May 24]
The Harmonicon, vol. IV (July 1826): 153.
CARL MARIA VON WEBER’S, Friday, May 26th, at the Argyll Rooms.
On the present occasion a Cantata, entitled The Festival of Peace, by M. von Weber, was performed, with English words written and adapted to it, by Hampden Napier, Esq. This, it should be known, was composed for the King of Saxony, and the poetry, which does not seem very appropriate to our country at the present moment, is, we are informed, translated from the German. There are some fine effects in this Cantata, in two of the chorusses [sic] particularly; but it was so imperfectly performed for want of necessary rehearsals, that we cannot pretend to have formed an accurate judgment of its merits. It occupied the whole of the first part of the concert. In the second part a new air, composed for and sung by Miss Stephens, was introduced*, the poetry from Lalla Rookh, and accompanied by M. von Weber himself on the piano-forte. The following are the words to which this composition was set:—
From Chindara’s warbling fount I come,
Call’d by that moonlight garland’s spell
From Chindara’s fount, my fairy home,
Where in music, morn and night, I dwell,
Where lutes in the air are heard about,
And voices are singing the whole day long,
And every sigh the heart breathes out
Is turn’d, as it leaves the lips, to song!
Hither I come
From my fairy home,
And if there’s a magic in Music’s strain,
I swear by the breath
Of that moonlight wreath,
Thy lover shall sigh at thy feet again.
For mine is the lay that lightly floats,
And mine are the murmuring, dying notes,
That fall as soft as snow on the sea,
And melt in the heart as instantly!
And the passionate strain that, deeply going,
Refines the bosom it trembles through,
As the musk-wind over the waters blowing
Ruffles the waves, but sweetens it too!
So, hither I come
From my fairy home,
And if there’s a magic in Music’s strain,
I swear by the breath
Of that moonlight wreath,
Thy lover shall sigh at thy feet again.
Only the melody had been committed to paper. The composer when it was performed supplied the accompaniments from a memory of his design, for the short interval allowed him previously to the concert prevented their being set down in any shape; and it may perhaps become a problem, among the musicians of the present day how that can be best filled up which M. von Weber left unfinished.
Mr. Braham sang a scena from the Freischütz, and Miss Paton one from Atalia, by Weber. Mr. Kiesewetter executed a Fantasia on the violin; Mr. Moscheles performed extemporaneously on the piano-forte, and M. Fürstenau gave a Theme from Oberon, with variations, on the flute. Besides these now named, Madame Caradori, Miss Cawse, and Mr. Phillips assisted at the present concert; but we regret to add, and blush for our country when we announce the fact, that the room was not much more than half full, and among the company were very few of the highest class. M., von Weber had scarcely strength enough left to get through the business as conductor: at the conclusion he threw himself on a sofa, and was so exhausted as to create a considerable alarm in the by-standers. Ten days afterwards he was a corpse!
* The Air was composed at the request of William Ward, Esq., the newly-elected M.P. for the city of London, who wished the Baron von Weber to write something expressly for Miss Stephens. That gentleman, we are informed, accompanied his application by a liberal present, worthy of a merchant of the city of London.
The Quarterly Musical Magazine and Review, vol. 8 (August 1826): 177.
…we mention with a feeling allied to shame as well as regret, that the concert of poor Weber, the popular the idolized Weber, though he produced pieces of his own not at all known in England, was amongst the thinnest of the year. He disdained to practice any of the arts by which some concerts are made as the phrase goes—and however unaccountable it may seem—he was deserted.
Ignaz Moscheles' Concert Life 