New Hibernicon

“McEvoy’s ‘Hibernicon’ unrolls its splendors nightly at Pike’s Music Hall, where it is made doubly enjoyable by the singing of a ‘talented company.’ This evening it will be exhibited in Pike’s Opera House for the benefit of the new Church of the Epiphany.”

Long review of the Hibernicon and benefit performance. “Pike’s Opera-House was astonished on Monday night. In other words, it was full. There must have been three thousand persons in the house. Most of them were Irishmen. A double attraction called them together. The entertainment given was for the benefit of a new Catholic Church, and it was descriptive of Ireland. [A bit about the church for which the benefit was given.] … Mr. MacEvoy’s ‘Hibernicon’ proved exceedingly pleasing to its auditors. Hitherto, for a couple weeks of past, it has been exhibited in Pike’s Music Hall, and there it will be shown hereafter every evening until further notice. It is a carefully-painted and strongly-meritorious panorama, which in the presentation is illustrated by speech and by song. [Lists the different scenes of the presentation.] … Song attends it all the way—so does speech. [Criticizes orator of the evening.] …they [the audience] now and then vented a mild protest against the ‘chin music’ of the occasion. The other music they liked and applauded; and it must be conceded that these plaintive or jovial Irsih melodies do go straight to the heart. The vocalists were Mr. MacEvoy himself, Mrs. Clara Levine, Miss Theresa McKenna, Miss Marie Dalton, and Miss Julia Esmonde; and their singing was appropriate and agreeable…The Hibernicon gives a good idea of many noted localities in Ireland, and therein thoroughly fulfills its promise. With the Irish population it is already very popular, and the scope of its popularity is surely destined to increase. The arrangements at the door on Monday night were shamefully bad, and led to a great deal of disturbance and annoyance. Neglect in these particulars should not be repeated.”