Summer Night’s Festival and Sylvan Ball: 1st

Event Information

Venue(s):
Central Park Garden

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

Price: $2, “admitting lady and gentleman”; $1 each extra ladies’ tickets

Event Type:
Orchestral

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
30 August 2018

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

24 Jun 1868, 8:30 PM

Program Details

“Two grand orchestras, the regular grand orchestra, … [and] the newly organized Theo. Thomas Serenade Band will perform during the intermissions.” The dance portion of the programme began with Hess’s polonaise. “Ye merry birds” is attributed to Reichardt. Should it be Gumbert?

Performers and/or Works Performed

2)
aka Heroic march; Prussia's heroes
Composer(s): Herrmann
Participants:  Thomas Band
3)
Composer(s): Thomas
Participants:  Thomas Orchestra
4)
aka Fantasie on a theme from Petrella's Ione
Composer(s): Unknown composer
Participants:  Thomas Orchestra
5)
Composer(s): Faust
Participants:  Thomas Band
6)
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
7)
Composer(s): Hesse
8)
aka Blue Danube
Composer(s): Strauss
9)
Composer(s): Reissiger
10)
aka Quadrille in Military-march style; Military quadrille
Composer(s): Strauss
11)
aka Ye merry birds that sweetly sing; Ye pretty birds; Come ye pretty birds
Composer(s): Gumbert
12)
aka Enclume; Amboss
Composer(s): Parlow
13)
Composer(s): Lorenz
14)
Composer(s): Rietzel [cond.-comp.fl-vn]
15)
Composer(s): Herfurth
16)
Composer(s): Bilse
17)
Composer(s): Weber
18)
aka Trois temps
Composer(s): Gung'l
19)
Composer(s): Hamm
20)
aka Quadrille on Schöne Zuluna
Composer(s): Unknown composer
21)
aka Prayer; Ave Maria
Composer(s): Wallace
22)
Composer(s): Ziehrer
24)
Composer(s): Faust
25)
aka Burgerschutzen
Composer(s): Mallach
26)
Composer(s): Rika
27)
aka How fair art thou; How beautiful you are
Composer(s): Weidt
28)
Composer(s): Kuchner
29)
aka Martha, oder Der Markt zu Richmond; Martha, or The Market at Richmond
Composer(s): Flotow
Text Author: Friedrich
30)
aka Morgenblatter; Melodische Depeschen; Morning flowers
Composer(s): Strauss
31)
aka Militaire
Composer(s): Brepsant
32)
aka Grande duchesse quadrille
Composer(s): Strauss
33)
aka Thou everywhere; When in the dark midnight; Uberall Du
Composer(s): Lachner
34)
aka Postillion
Composer(s): Heinsdorff
35)
aka Home sweet home
Composer(s): Bishop
Text Author: Payne

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 19 June 1868.
2)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 23 June 1868.

Includes program.

3)
Announcement: New York Post, 23 June 1868.
4)
Announcement: New-York Daily Tribune, 23 June 1868, 4.

“The entertainments at this excellent place of amusement have heretofore been entirely unexceptionable, and we have every hope that on this occasion they will not fall below their usual standard.”

5)
Advertisement: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 24 June 1868, 6.

Includes program.

6)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 24 June 1868, 7.

Includes program.

7)
Announcement: New-York Times, 24 June 1868, 4.
8)
Review: New York Herald, 25 June 1868, 10.

“The first summer night’s festival was inaugurated last evening under circumstances of a very promising character, and such as seem to indicate success for all succeeding entertainments conducted on similar principles. Taking into consideration the very doubtful aspect of the weather, the attendance was numerous and fashionable, and shortly before ten o’clock the large hall surrounding the garden, both of which were brilliantly illuminated, presented a handsome and picturesque appearance.  Cavaliers gay and ladies fair promenaded with lightsome steps to the fine selections by both the grand orchestra and serenade bands, and altogether the scene was pleasing, harmonious and highly characteristic of good humor. Mr. Thomas wielded the baton as usual, and among some of the items eloquently discoursed were the march ‘Prussia’s Heroes;’ overture, ‘Mignon,’ grand fantasia, ‘Ione;’ gallop, ‘Fire of Youth;’ ‘Ave Maria,’ &c. The front row of seats in the gallery was reserved, but the strain to commence dancing soon advised its fair occupants to descend to the floor, which, taken care of by Mr. Schindler, quickly disclosed a panorama, that was just as speedily in motion as could be desired. There was an excellent programme, there being no less than fifteen dances on the card, not the least relishable feature of which were the promenade songs, which were admirably rendered and thoroughly appreciated. On the whole, the Bal Campêtre of last night was successful, presented as it was in a very commendable style; and there is no doubt, should the proprietor continue to hold forth his festivals in a like manner, they will probably become a standing as well as an acceptable institution during the summer. After supper, dancing was resumed and kept up with vigor till night’s candies were burned out and jocund day stood tiptoe on the misty mountain top.”