Sensitive Flames at the Crystal Palace Concerts

Abstract

LAST Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Crystal Palace, while Mr. Vernon Rigby was singing Beethoven's “Adelaida,” I heard what I thought was strangely out of place—an accompaniment to the song played on the highest notes of a violin, sometimes closely following the air note for note, at other times being one-third lower. I soon found that this proceeded from one or two sensitive gas jets, notwithstanding they were at the end of the winter concert-room farthest away from the orchestra. The very perfect manner in which they responded to every note, no matter how piano, was curious.