Arion Gesangverein Christmas Festivities

Event Information

Venue(s):
Germania Assembly Rooms

Event Type:
Choral

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
20 June 2020

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

25 Dec 1869, Evening

Performers and/or Works Performed

3)
Composer(s): Bergmann
Participants:  Carl Bergmann

Citations

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

“The Arion Society are to have a glorious Christmas festival in the Germania Assembly Rooms on Saturday evening. The programme includes distribution of presents, a musical performance, supper, and dancing. A Christmas tree, sixteen feet high, will be one of the curiosities of the entertainment. It is expected that the Hon. Carl Triacca will give a recitation from one of his cold-water poems, and that Gen. Carl Bergmann will delight the audience with his song of ‘Shoo Fly.’”

2)
Review: New York Herald, 26 December 1869, 3.

“Festival Celebration of the Society at Germania Assembly Rooms—Wit, Mirth and Music—A Glorious Reunion.

“When the Arionites are about nobody need fear drowsiness for want of fun. This was experienced again last evening at the Germania Assembly Rooms, where the Arion Vocal Society celebrated Christmas in their usual jolly fashion. The company was enlivened by the best of humor, and the arrangements, with the exception that the beginning of the evening’s programme was delayed for upwards of an hour, was full of wit and enjoyment for all, and for several members of the society, even fraught with honorable distinction.

“[Describes decorations.] At about nine o’clock Mr. Joseph Neustaedter, president of the Arion, mounted the rostrum, and calling the company to order announced that the presentation of Christmas gifts by the society would now commence. He first called before him Maestro Carlo Bergmann, the musical director of the Arion, and, presenting him with an envelope, said that it contained a ‘green monster’ which has wrought many evils, but which he and the society hoped would prove the reverse in his hands. Mr. Bergenaum [sic] was also the recipient of a handsome cigar holder. [Lists other gift recipients, including Henry Steinway, Sr. and members of the orchestra.] When the distribution of gifts was over, the chorus of the Arion commenced the vocal part of the programme with the song ‘Wie hab’ ich sie geliebt,’ How have I loved her. Other songs followed, after which the hall was cleared of the tables and chairs and the young ladies were gratified with what they wished—a dance, which lasted till after midnight. At the supper a humerous [sic] original poem, by Mr. Anton Menkel, was sung by the Arion chorus, detailing ludicrous incidents of a trip to Europe by ‘seven cooks,’ all friends and members of the Arion, which performance gave rise to great merriment.”