Her great song was I know that my Redeemer liveth,' which she delivered with a majesty of thought, and force of voice and expression, that no one since her day has attempted to imitate. As we approximate our own time, we shall be enabled to speak of the singers who have flourished in this age with more accuracy, in attempting to describe their particular excellences and defects. The various qualities of the human voice are innumerable; we perhaps never meet with two alike— some are strong, bold, and noisy; others, soft and fluty-many, rough and hard; and others, sweet and flexible. Though much may be done by the force of art, in improving our natural qualifications, or in correcting defects, yet there is a constitutional difference which should always be strictly attended to, and upon which the character of every singer should be formed. As a striking exception to this remark, and to show what industry can accomplish, we shall speak of the attainments of MR. HARRISON. His fondness for music in early life led him to undertake the subjugation of a voice that was naturally stubborn and restive. By incessant practice, he rendered it supple and complying. Perhaps there never was a tone so polished and refined; but in rubbing off the asperities, he so entirely deprived it of character, that the effect became monotonous and unmeaning. The charm lay in the liquidity of his notes, more than in pathos and feeling. He was deficient in force, and could only express the softer and weaker passions: the chief pleasure was a sensual gratification of sound upon the ear. His style was limited to songs of an amatory cast, which he breathed in tones that were luscious and delightful. The following are what he chose, and chiefly sang in public: 'Lord, remember David,' 'Pleasure my former ways resigning,' 'Where'er you walk,' 'A Rose from her bosom had strayed,' with the following little Air, all of which are to be classed with the aria or cantabile; and in this style there never was certainly a more chaste and polished singer. |