Deutscher Liederkranz Fancy Dress Annual Ball

“The annual Liederkranz ball has come to be one of the most notable social events of the year. So far Americans have not entered with much zest into the masquerades which are so much enjoyed by our adopted citizens, and mainly enjoy them as inactive spectators, but the Liederkranz ball has a solid foundation, as being the great public festival of a German society, which is strong in numbers, wealth and social resources. Since the friendly rivalry with the Arion began, the preparations for their festival have become yearly more elaborate. Teutonic ingenuity in the devising [sic] of outlandish and humorous costumes is exhausted, and the details of the masquerade are arranged many weeks before it occurs. We have before us the programme of the Liederkranz for this year, a four-page sheet, covered with grotesque illustrations—one of them, we are sorry to say, more blasphemous than witty—and giving, in advance, the condensed humor of the ball. This sort of elaborate fun is not exactly to American taste, but it suits a large and respectable class of our fellow-citizens.

The appearance of the Academy last evening was gay in the extreme. Between four and five thousand persons must have been present, maskers and spectators. The interior of the building, seen from any part of it, presented a brilliant altogether imposing spectacle. From the point of view of the boxes the broad floor, extending over the parquette and to the head of the stage, was an ever-changing mass of human beings, dressed in every variety of costume—grotesque, graceful, comical and picturesque. All nationalities were represented on the floor, where there ws a kaleidoscopic commingling of all the colors of the artists’ palette, some whirling in the excitement of the waltz, others promenading to and fro, and yet others watching the busy throng as it whirled along. From the standpoint of the stage the effect was, if possible, more imposing and dazzling than from any other position; the gorgeous chandelier, which at any other time is an eye piercing obstruction, now shedding a flood of light upon tier after tier of boxes, filled with thousands of observers, ladies and gentlemen, in all the glory of elegant and costly dresses.

Although masquerade costumes were plentiful at the ball last night, yet there was little of that abandonment to the fun of the evening which the occasion should seem to have suggested. In truth the affair was altogether quiet and respectable, the strong corps of pages in their tasteful attire of the times of Louis XIIIth and XIVth having no trouble in guarding the select places, nor in keeping the floor in good order for the dancers. The music was excellent, there was no confusion in getting to the carriages, the management in every way was unexceptionable, and the ball was a success.”

The reputation of the Liederkranz Annual Masked Ball has spread far beyond the borders of New York City. Guests from Washington, D, C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, Boston, even Egg Harbor City including the townships of the vicinity were among the attendees last night. The Academy of Music is a rather inappropriate venue for balls. It was completely overcrowded with the most elegant, elaborate wardrobe and costumes imaginable.

…Until midnight, the dance floor can only be used when wearing a costume.…Bernstein’s music corps played very suitable dance music, which drew enormous masses onto the dance floor.…The event was overly crowded.