Richmond and Twickenham Times, 23 January, 1886

We understand that Dr Sellé is now engaged in composing the music for a lyrical drama entitled Hellas, by Percy B Shelley, Dr Sellé having undertaken the work at the request of Mr Buxton Forman and others. So far as it has proceeded a few details may be given. The drama opens with a few bars of an unpretending character, simply to denote the key to the singers. The chorus, 'We strew those opiate flowers,' is in the key of D, is of a pastoral character, with a cheerful melody throughout. In 'Be thy sleep calm and deep,' the composer shows his knowledge of harmony by a sudden transition into the key of F, then to G minor, and ultimately to the dominant of the original key, with an expression on the words 'not one who weep.' 'Sleep, sleep' is written for three female voices, with flute and harp accompaniment. The melody is of a tender character and considerable beauty, full of expression of a most fascinating character, in the key of F. Now comes an unaccompanied trio for female voices, 'Breathe low.' This is in six-eight time, simple, but expressing the words admirably. We now begin with antiphonal writing in the chorus, 'Life may Change,' in D minor, which shows the dramatic style. At the close of this comes a chorus, 'Liberty'. hear the composer enters into the subject in earnest. This specimen of a spirited writing is followed by a long recitative, full of dramatic effect, and introducing a bold theme expressing freedom, followed by chorus upon the same subject. Antiphonal writing is now resumed. In a chorus, 'Worlds on worlds are rolling,' the composer has made use of a Greek march as his subject. It is a simple and effective melody in a major. Upon this he works for some time, and closes with a brilliant morceau, 'Swift as the radiant shapes of sleep.' Beyond this point it is impossible at present to give any information, the work being still in progress.