Re-opening of Liederkranz Hall

“New York. Oct. 18 “On Saturday Oct. 23, our Liederkranz will open their hall, which has been undergoing extensive alterations during the summer, with a concert in which the full chorus of the Society, a grand orchestra, and Miss Alide Topp will assist.  I will give you a report of the same in my next communication.”

Extensive article on the Liederkranz Society, in regard to the re-opening of Liederkranz Hall.

“New York. Oct 25.— “In my last letter I mentioned the coming opening the coming opening of the new ‘Liederkranz’ Hall. On Saturday evening it took place, and a very enjoyable entertainment it proved to be.  I append a programme of the concert:

1. Overture. Magic Flute…Mozart

2. Hymn ‘To Music.’ [Male Chorus]…Lachner

3. Scherzo B-moll, op. 31 [Adelaide Topp]…Chopin

4. Chorus from the ‘Creation’ [Mixed Chorus and Orchestra]…Haydn

5. Coronation March…Meyerbeer

The orchestral and vocal portions of the programme were extremely well done and reflected great credit upon the energy and care of the musical director, Herr Paur.  The male chorus was emphatically the gem of the evening, and was sung in an almost faultless manner by the well-drilled voices.  The abading was very fine, while the crescendos and diminuendos, accurate and even, were superb.  One could easily understand why this Society took the prize at the ‘Sangerfest’ at Baltimore, during the past summer.

After the singing of the ‘Hymn’ Mr William Steinway, President of the Society delivered a short and able address, in which he alluded to the past, present, and future of the Society, thanked its members for their liberal contributions, made mention of their past artistic triumphs, and then, in a few well-chosen and appropriate sentences, concluded amid warm and hearty applause.

I regret to say that Miss Topp did justice neither to herself nor to the magnificent Scherzo; she missed notes quite frequently and altogether failed to achieve an artistic success.  She was recalled, however, and then played, in rather better style, Heller’s exquisite transcription of Schubert’s ‘Die Forellle.’  Much allowance must be made for her, inasmuch as she played upon a Knabe piano (which was the prize won by the Society at the Baltimore ‘Saengerfest), and it was unquestionably the poorest instrument I have ever heard in a respectable concert-room.  It had a hard, wiry tone, and besides, was not in tune.

At the conclusion of the concert (at about half past ten) the supper, which was sumptuous, took place; and at midnight commenced the hall which terminated somewhere along the small hours.”