St. George’s Church: Christmas Services

Event Information

Venue(s):
St. George's Church (Stuyvesant Square)

Event Type:
Choral

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
20 June 2020

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

25 Dec 1869

Program Details

No time given.

Performers and/or Works Performed

2)
Composer(s): Turle
3)
Composer(s): Berg [composer-organist]
5)
aka Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion
Composer(s): Handel
Participants:  Anna Bishop

Citations

1)
Announcement: New York Post, 23 December 1869, 1.

“Madame Anna Bishop, the distinguished vocalist, who has taken up her abode in this city, will sing the famous recitations appropriate to Christmas, and the aria ‘Rejoice greatly,’ from Handel’s ‘Messiah,’ at one of our leading Episcopal churches on Christmas day.” Discusses a painting that Bishop keeps at her residence on 11th street.

2)
Announcement: New York Post, 24 December 1869, 3.

Part of long article discussing the decoration and music planned for Christmas Day worship services across the city. “At St. George’s, Stuyvesant Square, a new Christmas carol, a Te Deum written for the choir, by A. W. Berg (organist of the Church of the Transfiguration), and the other music of the service will be sung by the choir of boys and men, and during the collections the recitatives, ‘There were shepherds’ and ‘Lo! the angel of the Lord,’ and the aria ‘Rejoice Greatly,’ will be sung by Madame Anna Bishop.”

3)
Announcement: New York Herald, 25 December 1869, 3.

“At St. George’s church [sic], Mme. Anne Bishop will sing selections from the oratorio ‘The Messiah.’”

4)
Review: New York Herald, 26 December 1869, 3.

“…The mellow December light, falling through painted windows upon frescoed walls, shed radiance upon the upturned faces of the congregation; while hallowing the scene soft, delicious music, stealing from the lips of the well-trained choir, harmonized by the sonorous organ, spoke the benediction of art on the formalities of religion. Madame Anna Bishop, whose splendid voice was heard clear and high above those whose united melody filled the sacred edifice, was the principal soprano, in chant, in psalm and hymn, her joyful voice, singing the praise of the Redeemer in tones more eloquent and impressive than the utterances of minister or assisstants [sic], sank deep into the hearts of the assembled people…

“…It was satisfactory to see the hard features of the merchant, the careworn face of the banker, the stern rigor of the millionaire, change into seasonable and Christian expression under the measured words of sacred import and the resounding tones of choir and organ…”

5)
Review: New-York Times, 26 December 1869, 1.

“At St. George’s, Stuyvesant-square, Mme. Anna Bishop sang the offertory solo—a selection from the ‘Messiah.’ The program also comprised [lists pieces].”