Central Park Band Concert

“There will be ‘music in the air’ for the first time this season in Central park this afternoon, commencing at three o’clock. We learn that the Park Commissioners intend this to be the initiative of a series of grand open air concerts, which will be continued in the principal parks during the summer season. They will be given by the ‘Central Park Band,’ under the direction of the famous Grafulla. The Park Commissioners have already foreshadowed a determination to go to work in earnest in the matter of reviving the beauties of our public parks, and under an able and energetic superintendency their former degree of usefulness as healthful places of recreation and public pleasure grounds will be rapidly restored. To-day will be, as it were, the grand opening day under the new Park régime, and, as the Park itself is clothed in a robe of emerald velvet, bespangled with the most beautiful stars of Flora’s realm, it will undoubtedly prove a splendid beginning to an uninterruptedly brilliant season. Let the public—all the men, all the women and all the little children—join in the chorus in ‘Macbeth’ and Rejoice, rejoice, re-joy-oy-oyce.”

Program.

“As we announced in Saturday’s issue of the Herald would be the case, the pleasant season of musical entertainments in our matchless Park was inaugurated yesterday afternoon, and, notwithstanding the manifold calls of Saturday upon our population, the numerous theatrical matinées, the grand tournament in Brooklyn and the many excursions offered by land and water to tempt the multitude to other haunts, there has rarely, if ever, been seen so large and brilliant a throng assembled in our great city promenade as graced it from about tow until five o’clock P.M.”

Continues, but nothing further regarding music.

“First Concert of the Season at the Park—

“Large and Fashionable Assemblage—Love, Flowers and Enchanting Melody.

“More beautiful, more inviting in its general aspect than almost at any previous period, the Park was yesterday afternoon the scene of heartfelt enjoyment. There is probably no entertainment more popular than an open air concert; but when to its attractiveness are added balmy and refreshing breezes, the incense of fragrant flowers budding forth in all their charming variety, a picturesque promenade, a brilliant assemblage, bubbling fountains, the merry twittering of tuneful birds, pleasant faces, bright and cheerful companions—when these interesting elements are associated with the melliffuous [sic] strains of an orchestra the occasion must needs [sic] be remembered. Verily, the Park, the pride of the great American metropolis, the boast of experienced gardeners, the cherished spot of the weary sojourner, was yesterday a perfect paradise in its way, if terrestrial loveliness and joyous surroundings could contribute but a single plant to the great garden soon hoped to be eternally regained. It was opening day at the Park. [Describes general scene.] With a consideration worthy of much approval spacious tents were spread around in all directions, in order that the pleasure of the music might not be marred by the hot rays of the sun. Some, perhaps the best looking, preferred to stroll along the promenades or wander on the sward, and yet not too far away to miss the charming pieces so brilliantly being performed by the Park Band, consisting of sixty pieces. The effect was truly delightful; for the music was superb, reflecting the highest credit upon Grafulla’s well-trained instrumentalists. The programme consisted of the following selections:— [Lists program.]

“The greatest attention was paid to the admirable rendering of the various pieces, the majority of which were greeted with loud applause. The strains were spread beautifully, and a long line of carriages were drawn up near the fountains, while their occupants were listening to the selections. As an inaugural entertainment it was entirely successful, and unquestionably afforded much gratification. Happily the weather was delightful to the finish of the programme, but a gentle shower gave timely warning to the assemblage to depart. From all appearances the Park Commissioners intend to spare nothing in order that the citizens may be suitably entertained during the coming months.”

“Had the Department of Public Parks had control of the weather, as well as of the Central Park and the music, they could not possibly have provided a more lovely day than yesterday for the inauguration of their open-air concerts for the season. Within the last three weeks vegetation has made such rapid progress that those who visited the Park at the commencement of the season would now scarcely recognize it again. [More about the park’s vegetation.] Yesterday a pleasant breeze tempered the heat, and thousands availed themselves of the opportunity of exchanging the hot and dusty City streets for the cool, green, elastic turf of the Park, and of inhaling pure and invigorating air instead of that contaminated by the unsavory odors that cities will produce. At 3½ P. M. the concert commenced, comprising selections from Abt, Strauss, Lekobb, Rossini, Offenbach, Verdi, and Suppe, which were executed with the unusual brilliancy and precision of the Central Park Band. The attendance was large, and comprised all classes, from the swart artisan with his wife and children, to the Madison-avenue belle, who stopped her splendid equipage on the Terrace, or as it made the round of the circle, near the Casino, and condescended to listen approvingly to the same notes that tickled the ears of Patrick and Bridget and Hans on the lawns beneath. [Discusses where the concert-goers might wander around as they listen to the music, including many places surrounding the lake.] …By 5 o’clock the concert was over. The last strains of Schwaboda’s ‘Commandeur’ had died away, the inevitable ‘national airs’ had been performed, and those who had lingered to the last strolled slowly back over the cool, green lawns and beneath the stately trees, to the close, hot, stifling city, most of them in time to avoid the rain which afterward fell.

“It is pleasant to see that the popularity of the Mineral Springs is constantly increasing. This handsome building is situated near the lake, and is very accessible…It is probable that during the Summer, morning concerts will be given at the Spa for the amusement of those who frequent the place at that time of day.”

Lengthy article about the reopening of Central Park for the spring.

“…Around the musicians’ gilt and blue pavilion a gay crowd assembled, shaded by striped canopies from the sun, and listened to the rare music of Grafulla’s sixty skillful players. Before the programme was finished a gentle shower dispersed the music-loving assemblage, but yesterday the weather was so exquisitely fair that without the attraction of music, or the popular privileges accorded on Saturdays, the city’s great pleasure-ground was full of charmed visitors from early morning until dewy nightfall.” Goes on to say that it “is designed to have music in the morning, this Summer, at these Springs [the mineral springs].”