[British Orchestral Society]

The second season of the British Orchestral Society terminated last week with the sixth concert of the series, the occasion having been rendered special by the attendance of the Duke of Edinburgh, who is president of the society. The programme included a MS. orchestral scherzo in A minor, the first instalment of a new symphony, by Sir Julius Benedict, which it is to be hoped may soon be forthcoming in its entirety, when we shall doubtless have a work of such merit and importance as to render it a worthy successor to the composer's symphony in G minor, of which we spoke in November last. The movement now referred to is full of animation and brightness, and was received with great applause and a call for Sir J. Benedict, who came forward in acknowledgement. A quasi-novelty at the concert was a characteristic fantasia, for orchestra, by the Russian composer Glinka, founded on national airs—a piece of lively and pleasing character. The English public may soon know more of Glinka should Mr. Gye produce his most celebrated opera, "La Vie pour le Czar," during the present season of the Royal Italian Opera, of which there is a strong probability. The other instrumental pieces at the concert referred to were Beethoven's "Pastoral Symphony," Cherubini's overture to "Anacreon," that by Mr. J. F. Barnett to "The Winter's Tale," and Mr. Sullivan's "Overtura di Ballo." Mr. Walter Bache gave an artistic performance of Schumann's pianoforte concerto, and vocal pieces were sung by Madame Lemmens-Sherrington and Mr. Santley.