Article on forthcoming season of mass performances

“Musical readers are aware that the noble Masses and Anthems of Bach, Cherubini, Spohr, Beethoven and other great composers, while written for full orchestral accompaniment, are usually rendered in this country, if at all, by church choirs with the solitary support of the organ. It is interesting as a matter of musical history to know that a sum of money has been subscribed in this City sufficient to give a ‘season’ of three performances of compositions of this class, with four rehearsals for each. The general features of the plan are understood to be as follows:

“Rehearsals and performances will be open to subscribers, and the ladies and gentlemen of the chorus, and their invited guests, and to none others. No tickets will be sold by the Association. Each subscriber will received such number of tickets (or rather cards of invitation) as corresponds with the amount of his subscription. In other words, the sittings will be divided pro rata among the subscribers, and each subscriber can dispose of his tickets among his friends as he pleases. Each regularly attending member of the chorus will be entitled to two free admissions. The orchestra will be composes of fifty-two instrumentalists, and the nucleus of the chorus will consists of 100 performers. As the performances will not be public, and no tickets sold, it is believed that ladies and gentlemen of the highest talent and culture will cheerfully give their aid in the chorus and solo parts. The rehearsals and performances will, in fact be simply musical parties on a large scale, given by the subscribers and their friends.’

“It is understood that the musical director of these concerts is to be Dr. James Pech, and that any persons who desire to take part in the undertaking may signify their wishes to G. T. Strong, Esq., No. 68 Wall-street. The design is as praiseworthy as novel, and its consummation would certainly tend to elevate the standards o musical taste among us. We therefore trust that no impediments may arise to prevent it from being carried into effect.”