Central Park Band Concert

Includes program.

"The programme of music at the Park yesterday was an interesting one. First came the merry, sparkling overture to Falstaff, as Nicolai's opera is now called, in which the rotund, bloated form and twinkling eye of the fat knight, and the mischievous countenances of the merry wives, are seen in every measure--a work of humor, wit and sparkling thoughts of which one can never tire. Then followed the Hilda Waltz, a sister of the universally popular Mabel, in which theme succeeds theme with that charming variety and grace which make Godfrey a fit composer to Strauss and Lanner. Sounds from the Scottish Glen are a clever potpourri of Caledonia's well-known melodies; and if Mr. Dodworth could only add the pibroch to his band, and kilt and tartan his performers, there is enough of the mountain heather about this fantasia to make the illusion complete, and carry the mind to the hills of 'auld Scotia.' Sandwiched between a march and galop of his own, came Dodworth's arrangement of the immortal overture to Tannhauser, the only feature in Wagner's opera we care for. Crispino, with his boisterous humor, testy opinions, and laughable assumption of dignity in his role as learned doctor, next came in before the assembled thousands, and the march of the Amazons, redolent with ballet reminiscences, was received with applause. A rather heavy and labored fantasia from Mercadente's Eliza and Claudio was the next, and three of Dodworth's most popular and stirring arrangements concluded the concert. The attendance was the largest of the season. There could have been no less than fifty thousand people in the Park yesterday. The ladies were out in large numbers, and the scene from the Terrace was quite picturesque. We remarked the prevalence of a new style of hat called the Parepa, a modification of the well-known gladiateur. The materials of this new candidate for ladies' favor are pamilla braid, and the only trimmings are a single tuft of marabout. It is very becoming on some heads, but is suited only for very young ladies. The most interesting way to while away a few hours in the Park on a Saturday afternoon is to watch the psyignomies of those assembled around the music stand. Every page in the book of nature that relates to the human race is there open to view. The musical enthusiast, oblivious to all surroundings and drinking in the sweet draught of harmony that is poured forth from the pavilion; the calculating man of business, who even at this time is reckoning up his assets and liabilities and at this time is far on his way in the region of speculation; the spruce, fast young clerk, who ogles the patronesses of the concert, and imagines himself the cynosure of all admiring eyes; the aristocratic dame, who reclines in her carriage and criticizes the latest fashions; the coquettish belle of the East side, bent on making a conquest; the happy, plethoric German, with his numerous progeny around him, and occasionally a dusty Beau Brummell, form a picture of human life, which, like a kaleidoscope, presents at each glance some new aspect. The weather was sans reproche, and thousands of the Park habitues lingered amid its scenes of beauty long after the thirty silver-banded hats had disappeared from the music stand. It was a day when no one cared for being cooped up within brick walls or on stifling streets when such a garden of beauty lay within his reach."      

The concert attracted a large audience.