The New Hampshire Gazette

THE "SOIREE MUSICALE."

Messrs. Editors,

I was induced on Thursday evening last, to attend the Soiree Musicale, advertised to be given at Franklin-Hall, by the Tyrolese vocalists. I was gratified beyond my anticipations, as I had apprehended the loss of the most valuable part of the entertainment from being unacquainted with their language. But music is in some degree a sort of universal language, and the exhibition afforded sufficient evidence that the vocalist who studies expression, will rarely be misunderstood in any country. I am a sort of Amateur in music, and have attended musical exhibitions of almost all descriptions, but never to my recollection, did I hear such clear and thrilling tones of the human voice, as while listening to the Tyrolese songsters, with the simple accompaniment of the Guitar. It seemed to transcend the power of the Muse herself. The music selected, though of a high order, was simple in its composition, combining apparently very few of the chromatics with which modern compositions are usually filled; yet, I opine it was more pleasing to the audience than the combined sounds of an oratorio from a hundred instruments and voices. I hope the example of these vocalists, will have a tendency to correct one very prevalent evil in our music, viz. the predominancy of instruments over the voice. We rarely listen to a public musical exhibition in this country, in which the fine sounds of the human voice are not buried amid the loud tones of the organ, the scraping of catgut, or the blatant clattering of reeds and trombones. Instrumental music is very pleasing, and highly proper in its place; but when mingled with the fine tones of the human voice, we are too apt to forget what it should be,--a mere accompaniment: that its true province is to assist the voice,--not to lead it. The Tyrolese vocalists appear to understand this principle; the light tones of the guitar are managed with such taste, adroitness and skill, as to help the voice in all the most difficult passages, but never to impair its effect.

A.