The Musical news Volume 10

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896 Excerpt: ...his " St. Paul " at the Birmingham Festival, and stayed with Klingemann in London. Two whole mornings were spent with his host on a sketch of the work, but still nothing definite was undertaken. Strangely enough, an English clergyman, the Rev. James Barry, had himself written a libretto en the same bubject and forwarded it to Mendelssohn. The latter did not adopt this book, but it put him on his mettle in regard to his own project. Klingeuiaun, however, did not see his way to proceed with thn matter, and under date February 9th, 1838, Mendelssohn wrote him:--" I should like to have a new oratorio for the Dusseldorf Festival in 1839... therefore, for all these reasons, I must ask you: u'/ten could you send it (the ' sketch') to me? And if other occupations, or annoyance at my repeated requests, or any other reason, prevent you from complying with my wish, do please send me, hy return of post, a copy of our ' sketch ' of the oratorio, and tell me whether I am to leave you in peace about the matter, so that I know where 1 am. Only I must set to work soon; that you will understand." After a little more correspondence the " sketch" was returned to the composer, and the matter was at an end so far as Kliugemann was concerned. Mendelssohn then turned to his friend and boyhood's companion, the Rev. Julius Schubring, D.D., Eector of St. George's Church, Dessau. And now some definite work began to be done. Schubring entered heartily into the project. The letters that passed between composer and librettist at this time (1836-39) are full of interest. Schubrirjg was of opinion that the dramatic element must not be allowed to monopolise the work too much. He found that it was very difficult to avoid casting the story in a form akin to opera...