Venue(s):
Central Park Garden
Conductor(s):
Theodore Thomas [see also Thomas Orchestra]
Price: $.50
Event Type:
Orchestral
Performance Forces:
Instrumental, Vocal
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
22 March 2018
“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!”
"…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.”