Thomas Popular Garden Concert

Event Information

Venue(s):
Central Park Garden

Conductor(s):
Theodore Thomas [see also Thomas Orchestra]

Price: $.50

Event Type:
Orchestral

Performance Forces:
Instrumental, Vocal

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
22 March 2018

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

04 Jul 1868, 3:00 PM

Program Details

Thomas gave afternoon and evening concerts on this day at the Central Park Garden. Unclear whether the cost of admission ($.50) was the rate for both concerts.

The selection from L'Étoile du nord was an entr'acte.

Performers and/or Works Performed

2)
Composer(s): Thomas [see also Thomas Orchestra]
3)
Composer(s): Rossini
4)
Composer(s): Strauss
5)
aka Traum; Morceau de salon, op. 13; Pieces de salon, op. 13
Composer(s): Goltermann
Participants:  Rudolf Hennig [cellist]
6)
aka Capuleti and the Montecchi; Giuletta e Romeo; Romeo and Juliet
Composer(s): Bellini
Text Author: Romani
Participants:  Jennie Kempton
7)
aka Etoile du nord, L', selection
Composer(s): Meyerbeer
8)
aka Orpheus; Orphee aux enfers; Orpheus in the Underworld
Composer(s): Offenbach
9)
aka Wedding sounds; Hochzeits Klange
Composer(s): Strauss
10)
aka Méditation sur le 1er Prélude de piano de J. S. Bach; Meditation, prelude, for piano, organ and cello; Meditation on Bach's Prelude No. 1
Composer(s): Gounod
11)
aka Yankee Doodle variations
Composer(s): Scholl
12)
aka Oh, Columbia, the gem of the ocean; Columbia, the land of the brave
Composer(s): Shaw
Text Author: Shaw
Participants:  Jennie Kempton
13)
aka Alla turca; Türkischer Marsch; Turkish March; Allegretto in A minor
Composer(s): Mozart

Citations

1)
Announcement: New York Post, 03 July 1868, 2.
2)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 04 July 1868.

Includes program.

3)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 04 July 1868.

Includes program.

4)
Review: New York Herald, 05 July 1868, 5.

“Amid the booming of cannon, fizzing of the fire crackers, shrieks of terrified females, plunging of nervous horses, and general amnesty of all law-breakers, where can a more desirable locality be found than in the beautiful garden of the American metropolis, where grayback sentinels frown down igneus patriotism, whether it takes the form of Roman candles, torpedoes or serpents? Yesterday, that wonderful anniversary, when the American eagle performs all those extraordinary actions ascribed to ‘him’ by loud mouthed orators of ninety-two years standing, the Park (the name Central is superfluous) was aglow with sunshine (ninety degrees Fahrenheit) and visitors. The rural element was prominent among the latter, for strange looking toilets and physiognomies, evidently of Jersey and Westchester manufacture, shone amid the kaleidoscope of linen coats, straw hats, red faces and gaping mouths that surrounded the Mall. . . .   In the vicinity of the Park poor Theodore Thomas vainly endeavored to persuade his two thousand hearers at Central Park Garden that the thermometer had nothing whatever to do with the nineties, and that straws with colored water attached were infallible remedies against sunstroke. . . . and the sharpshooters at Jones’ Wood looked around after every stranger as a fair subject for target practice. And thus the day begun and waned; and the Park Commissioners emerged from parts unknown, with smiling countenances and immaculate vests. So mote it be!”

5)
Review: New-York Times, 06 July 1868, 4.

"…Mr. Theodore Thomas is prospering hugely at the Central Park Garden. His programmes are made up with taste. They are intentionally popular in their character, but they are enriched with skillfully selected excerpts from the great masters. The orchestra interprets everything with animation and skill. It is altogether the best orchestra of the kind we have ever had in America. The Saturday matinées are well attended, and the character of the audience on all occasions is excellent. Mrs. Jenny Kempton was the vocalist on Saturday last. She sung well and elicited hearty applause from an audience that literally swarmed through the building and garden.”