Thomas Popular Garden Concert

Event Information

Venue(s):
Central Park Garden

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

Price: $.50; $2.50 private box

Event Type:
Orchestral

Performance Forces:
Instrumental

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
4 September 2018

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

11 Aug 1868, 8:00 PM

Program Details

Two separate ensembles performed this concert: the Thomas Orchestra and an “orchestra” unnamed by the citations. Music in Gotham understands the second ensemble to be the Thomas Band. Both groups performed the Ernani fantasie, the L’Etoile du Nord overture, the prayer from Mosè in Egitto, and the march and chorus from Tannhäuser.

Performers and/or Works Performed

2)
aka Sangerlust; Singers' joy; Singer's delight; Classic delight
Composer(s): Herrmann
3)
Composer(s): Rossini
4)
Composer(s): Herfurth
5)
aka Wedding sounds; Hochzeits Klange
Composer(s): Strauss
6)
Composer(s): Reinisch
7)
Composer(s): Gounod
8)
Composer(s): Thomas [see also Thomas Orchestra]
Participants:  Thomas Orchestra;  Thomas Band
9)
aka Etoile du nord, L', overture
Composer(s): Meyerbeer
Participants:  Thomas Orchestra;  Thomas Band
10)
aka Town and country
Composer(s): Strauss
11)
aka Thunder and lightning
Composer(s): Strauss
12)
aka Prayer; Preghiera; Mose in Egitto, Dal tuo stellato soglio; O esca viatorum
Composer(s): Rossini
Participants:  Thomas Orchestra;  Thomas Band
13)
aka March; Fest march; Festmarsch; Grand march; Tannhauser. Freudig begrussen wir die edle Halle. Allegro
Composer(s): Wagner
Participants:  Thomas Orchestra;  Thomas Band
14)
aka Tannhauser, chorus
Composer(s): Wagner
Participants:  Thomas Orchestra;  Thomas Band
15)
Composer(s): Proch
16)
Composer(s): Thomas
19)
Composer(s): Stasny
20)
Composer(s): Strauss
21)
aka Elly Mavourneen
Composer(s): Crouch [composer-cello]
22)
aka Hungarian March; Rákóczi March; Rakoczy
Composer(s): Berlioz

Citations

1)
Announcement: New-Yorker Musik-Zeitung, 08 August 1868, 1.
2)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 11 August 1868.
3)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 11 August 1868, 7.
4)
Advertisement: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 11 August 1868, 6.
5)
Review: New York Post, 12 August 1868, 2.

“By far the most pleasant and one of the most steadily frequented places of resort in the city is the Central Park Garden, which was filled last evening, in spite of the showery weather. Those who attended were rewarded by the enjoyment of one of the best concerts of the season. Four pieces were played by the two orchestras conjointly, and given with superb effect—a ‘Grand Fantasia’ on airs from ‘Ernani,’ the magnificent overture to ‘L’Etoile du Nord,’ the prayer in ‘Moses in Egypt,’ and the grand march and chorus from Tannhauser. The last-named is a special favorite with the audiences at the Garden, and deservedly so from the impressiveness and power with which it is rendered under Mr. Thomas’s direction. Gounod’s beautiful ‘Serenade,’ and her favorite, was also given, as usual, with exquisite grace and delicacy. 

The concerts have been so constantly and liberally patronized that they will be continued later than was expected at the opening of the season. They afford us the only consolation we have for the absence of grand opera, and as long as we can hear the best music, old and new, so perfectly performed, we can wait the more patiently for the arrival of Mr. Mapleson’s company.”