Grand Masquerade Ball

Event Information

Venue(s):
French Theatre

Conductor(s):
Adolphe Gaffre

Event Type:
Orchestral

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
13 January 2019

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

24 Dec 1868, 10:00 PM

Program Details

The ball is given by a society of French residents under the patronage of the artists of the two opera bouffe theaters of New York. An elegant first-class free supper under the auspices of Mr. F. Curet will add to the attractions of the entertainment.

Performers and/or Works Performed

Citations

1)
Announcement: New York Post, 16 December 1868, [4].
2)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 17 December 1868, 7.
3)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 19 December 1868.
4)
Announcement: New York Herald, 23 December 1868, 6.
5)
Review: New-York Times, 25 December 1868, 10.

“The band commenced playing at 10 o’clock, and dancing continued far into the morning hour. The occasion was one of huge enjoyment, the music was exhilarating and admirably selected, and the gaiety great. As midnight approached the opera company of the theatre, who had been performing in Brooklyn, joined the assemblage and participated in the festivities. The French understand masquerading, and enter into it with great zest.”

6)
Review: New-York Daily Tribune, 25 December 1868, 7.

“The opera bouffe companies of Grau and Bateman united with the French residents of the city, and gave, last night, a grand ball at the Theatre Francais. It was largely attended by a brilliant and full-dressed assemblage, who ‘joined in the dance,’ and who probably received ‘no rest till morn.’ The music was Offenbachian—the dancing in harmony with the strains.”

7)
Review: New York Post, 26 December 1868.

“The ball at the French Theatre on Thursday night was a success.  The company was large, and among the costumes worn on the occasion were some very costly and beautiful ones.  The theatre in which the ball was held is French, and nearly all the guests were French.”