Aufführungsbesprechung London: Oratorio-Aufführung im Covent Garden Theater am 8. März 1826 (inkl. Freischütz-Auszügen)

Covent Garden.

Oratorios. ‒ On Wednesday, the famous Composer of the music in Der Freischütz made his first public appearance at this theatre. He was introduced to the audience as conductor to a selection of his own compositions from that favourite opera; and the greeting with which he was saluted upon his entrance, must have been very gratifying to his feelings; for there were many present worthy of bearing testimony to his merit. The house was filled before the commencement of the performance, and on M. Weber’s coming forward, the audience gave him three hearty rounds of applause, mingled with the waving of hats and fluttering of hankerchiefs. As a man of genius, M. Weber’s merits this distinction; but as a man of discernment we doubt not that he justly appreciates the bulk of applause he was received: and having said this much, with the full conviction upon us of our very moderate capability to render his talent the justice it deserves, we are perfectly content to be ranged among his commonplace admirers; yet, let him be assured that we do warmly contribute our mite of admiration and gratitude for the many hours of delight the labour of his brain has afforded us. From the sly yet goodnatured way in which he and a friend, when forming part of the audience the over evening, smiled at our profound music in Rob Roy*, ‒ and from the vigour with the least excellent parts of his own opera were encored (the overture excepted, which deserved to be) he has by this time ascertained for himself the calibre of the national taste. We are impatient to hear his new opera, and freely confess we shall attend it more in the character of partizans than critics.