have it in our power to again enumerate amongst the first-rate female performers of the day. Her spirited manner and correct expression, recommended by her excellent and well-commanded tones, will long render her a favorite with all lovers of good vocal performance. Miss Parke's command of voice, and finished manner of execution, place her in the very first rank of her profession. Madame Dussec is distinguished by her elegance of style. Madame Bianchi has great chasteness of expression. Madame Vinci is, in voice and taste, far above mediocrity. Madame Storace is unequalled as a comic singer. Miss Tennant is a highly pleasing and improving performer; and Mrs. Mountain has so far advanced, both in voice and taste, as to have justly become one of the greatest favourites of the town. Mrs. Bland, Mrs. Vaughan, Miss Griglietti, Mrs. Ash, Miss Tyrer, and Mrs. Atkins, are also conspicuous performers.

Our catalogue of vocal gentlemen is also highly respectable:-Mr. Harrison, to a finely studied style of expression, adds a pleasing and interesting tone of voice, a justness of conception, and a purity of taste, which have long pointed him out as the first tenor in the kingdom; Mr. Bartleman's rich body of tone, polished judgment, and energetic delivery, give him an equal distinction as a bass singer; Mr. Nield is a tenor singer of considerable merit; Signor Viganoni evinces cultivated judgment, and graceful ideas, in the cantabile style; Mr. Braham's uncommon sweetness and extent of voice, are recommended by a scientific judgment, a fancy capable of suggesting every possible decoration, and a flexibility equal to the execution' of whatever that fancy adopts; Mr. Incledon is master of a fine rich-toned volume of voice; he is a true English singer, and often acquits himself in a style not unsatisfactory to the best judges; Mr. Welsh only requires further maturity of voice,

greatly to excel in the same province; Signor Ci. mador, though not distinguished by any great power of voice, has a pleasing and interesting style, and is an excellent duet performer; Mr. Sale, as a bass, has considerable powers; Mr. Elliot, as a bass singer, has long received the applause of the public; and Mr. William Knyvett is admired for the sweetness of his alto tones, and the just and tasteful manner of his expression.

Respecting our instrumental professors, it is sufficient to say, that on the organ we have, amongst many other excellent performers, Mr. Charles Wesley, Mr. Samuel Wesley, Mr. Russel, and Mr. Greatorex ; on the piano forte, Messrs. Woelfe, Cramer, Horn, Dr. Smith, Mr. King, Mr. Field, and Masters Busby, Cubit, and Piele; on the violin, Messrs. Salomons, F. Cramer, Aldey, Master Pinto, Ramondi, Mr. Shaw, Mr. G. Ashley, Mr. Mountain, and Mr. Weichsell; on the oboe, the Messrs. Parkes, Griesbach, Harrington, and Ling; on the violoncello, Messrs. Lindley, C. Ashley, Powell, Ware, Hely, and Mason; on the flute, Messrs. Monzani, Sauste, and Sharpe; on the trumpet, Messrs. Hyde and Woodham; on the bassoon, Messrs. Holmes, Mackintosh, and Lyon; on the clarionet, the Messrs. Mahons; on the viola, Messrs. Shield, H. Smart, and Howard; on the French horn, the Messrs. Leanders; and on the double bass, Messrs. Dragonetti and Smart. Academy of Ancient Music. At the Crown and Anchor Tavern.)

This concert claims, from the priority of its foundation, the first place in our observations on the various public concerts established in London.

So early as the year 1710, several eminent composers and performers in London concerted a plan for the study and practice of vocal and instrumental music, which being immediately supported and

encouraged by persons of the first rank, formed the commencement of the present institution.

Among the most distinguished authors of this improving and laudable project, were the scienti. fic Dr. John Christopher Pepusch, the ingenious composers, Mr. John Lamert, Galliard, and Mr. Gates, gentleman of the king's chapel.

The society was instituted at the Crown and An2 chor Tavern in the Strand, and the first subscrip tion was only half-a-guinea. The performances, assisted by the gentlemen of the chapels royal and St. Paul's Cathedral, were received with the warmest approbation, and the Academy was not only countenanced by the greatest masters then in this country, among whom were Handel and Geminiani, but its library became enriched by the manuscript compositions of Abbati, Steffani, and Antonio Lotti, who from time to time transmitted to the society their valuable donations.

The Academy continued to flourish under the direction of Dr. Pepusch, till the year 1732, when Mr. Handel's oratorio of Esther was performed by the academicians. The high applause with which that piece was received, first gave the composer the idea of performing oratorial compositions during Lent. In the same year, there being some misunderstanding between the members and Mr. Gates, master of the chapel boys, they were withdrawn; when Dr. Pepusch, at the instance and expence of the academy, undertook to educate four boys. To support this new charge, the number of the Academicians was increased, and the annual subscription augmented to one guinea and a half.

Till the year 1737, it had not been usual to admit ladies; when it was resolved that each member should have the right to introduce them. The Academy derived an additional eclat from this laudable resolution, and continued to flourish

under the conduct of Dr. Pepusch, till the year 1752, when it received an irreparable loss in the death of that great theorist and most repectable character.

The Academy soon after assumed more of the form of a public concert; eminent singers, and solo instrumental performers, were engaged; in conse quence of which the subscription was again ad vanced, and the number of concerts diminished. In this state it long remained, and the band was successively led by Mr. Trudway, a gentleman of considerable fortune, Mr. David Richards, and Mr. Barthelemon.

In February, 1785, a committee was appointed to examine the laws and regulations formed since the institution, and to prepare a new code, agreeable to the original intention of its founders; which was confirmed in March following, by a general meeting of the subscribers.

In September, 1786, the society removed from the Crown and Anchor Tavern to Freemason's Hall; where, in 1788, it was resolved to admit ladies as subscribers; and about this time the or chestra was much improved. But the subscriptions falling short, it was resolved to contract the performances, and to place them more fully under the direction of some professional gentleman of eminence.

On this occasion Dr. Arnold, Dr. Cooke, and Dr. Dupuis, were severally nominated, when the committee evinced its judgment by choosing the former gentleman, whose experience as a conductor of musical performances, certainly rendered him the most eligible of the three respectable candidates.

Under the direction of this gentleman, the performances of the Academy continued with increas ing credit, till the year 1792, when it was determined to raise the subscription to five guineas per

annum, and the orchestra was still further improved.

In the year 1799, the Academy returned to its former station, the Crown and Anchor Tavern, where, till his death, it continued to flourish under the direction of Dr. Arnold.

The number of performances for each season have usually been eight; but last season there were only six. They commence in January, take place once a fortnight, and each is divided into two acts. The present subscription is four guineas.

In conformity to the taste of the times, modern compositions, both vocal and instrumental, are occasionally introduced; which certainly gives an attractive diversity to the bill of fare; but it must in candour be allowed, that the conductor and performers never display themselves to greater advantage than in their execution of the works of the good old masters; the true spirit of which they feel and communicate to their audience.

The vocal performers for the last season were Mrs. Second, Miss Tennant, Mr. Vaughan, Mr. James Elliot, Master Smith, Messrs. Sale, Leete, Gore, Page, &c. to whose performance is occasionally added that of Mr. Harrison. The band, which, though not numerous, is select, is led by Mr. Shaw; and among the principal instrumental performers are Mr. Lindley, Mr. Ling, and Mr. Holmes.

Concert of Ancient Music, Hanover-square.

The concert of ancient music (at present more generally known by the appellation of the King's Concert) is a branch that seceded from the Academy of Ancient Music, and is held in the great room Hanover-square. It generally commences in February, and continues weekly till the end of May. The performances are on a Wednesday. Six directors, chosen from among the nobility,