Christian Association Inaugural Concert

Event Information

Venue(s):
Young Men’s Christian Association Hall

Conductor(s):
William Berge

Price: $5

Performance Forces:
Instrumental, Vocal

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
13 March 2021

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

30 Nov 1869, Evening

Performers and/or Works Performed

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 27 November 1869, 12.
2)
Review: New York Post, 01 December 1869, 4.

“While we almost hesitate to enumerate among the more frivolous ‘amusements’ of the day the sober and decorous entertainments provided by a professedly religious organization, it must be conceded that the concert given last night at the hall of the Young Men’s Christian Association was quite as worldly in its details as any that ever took place at Steinway’s or Irving Hall. The program was chiefly made up of operatic music, with a few ballads interspersed. Miss Kellogg was the leading attraction, and she sang in her usual cultivated style several choice selections of florid Italian music, introducing, however, for an encore, the familiar strains of ‘Comin’ through the Rye.’ Miss Nettie Sterling, who appeared for the first time since her return from Europe, received a most cordial welcome, and certainly sang with charming ease and with sustained power. Her voice, ever pure, rich and majestic, bears evidence of the additional training it has received, and insures for its fortunate possessor a wide reputation and popularity. Miss Sterling should be heard often in the concert room.

“Mr. W. J. Hill was the tenor of the evening, and did himself justice. There was, moreover, good piano-forte playing by Richard Hoffman, and admirable performances on the organ by Mr. G. W. Morgan, Mr. Bergé and Mr. H/. E. Browne. The instrument, which was built by the Odells, contains several orchestral features decidedly novel and effective. Ample opportunity will be given the public to hear it, in the series of Saturday organ matinees which has been organized, to take place at the Hall after the manner of those so successfully given of late at Plymouth Church, Brooklyn.

"The hall of the Young Men’s Christian Association is large and commodious, in style and decoration not unlike the prevalent church architecture of the day. For lectures and concerts it must be a leading favorite. The reading rooms of the association and the library were thrown open to visitors last night, and were much admired by the crowded audience which attended the concert.”