Private Musical Evening

Event Information

Venue(s):
Residence of George Templeton Strong

Performance Forces:
Instrumental, Vocal

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
11 July 2020

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

29 May 1867, Evening

Program Details

Amateur performers included Mrs. Perkins, Mrs. George Griswold, Mrs. Panle, Valentine, Willy Douglas, and Albitis. Fry whistled Bellini's "Casta diva."

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
LIST OF PERFORMER(S)/ORGANIZATION(S)
Participants:  Ellen Ruggles Strong;  Horace Fry
2)
"Lac, Le"
Composer(s): Niedermeyer
Text Author: Lamartine
Participants:  Ellen Ruggles Strong
3)
Norma, "Casta diva"
Composer(s): Bellini
Participants:  Horace Fry
4)
"King death was a rare old fellow"
Composer(s): Traditional
Participants:  Horace Fry

Citations

1)
: Strong, George Templeton. New-York Historical Society. The Diaries of George Templeton Strong, 1863-1869: Musical Excerpts from the MSs, transcribed by Mary Simonson. ed. by Christopher Bruhn., 29 May 1867.

“I was summoned downstairs and found Mrs. Perkins, Mrs. Geo Griswold (nice woman), Mrs. Panle (wife of the Portugese minister), Miss A, with Horace Fry, Valentine (now Dr. V.), Willy Douglas, and perhaps a half-dozen more, in high howl over sundry Verdiesque solos and duos.  Albitis (?) presiding at piano.  It’s only justice to say that his pupils sang their rubbish much better than it deserved.  E. sang Niedermayer’s ‘Le Lac’ with much ‘acceptance.’  Fry whistled Casta Diva to a piano accompaniment (!) with remarkable delicacy and accuracy of vocalization, or [illeg], and then sang ‘King Death was a rare old fellow,’ with the tones of a primo basso profundo among Bulls of Bashan.”