Central Park Band Concert

“The weather, although warm, was magnificent, and at six P. M. yesterday Washington Park was well thronged The Eighth ward aristocracy gave in to the charms of Orpheus, and were not backward to give proofs of their appreciation of this innovation of the new régime. Even the renowned politicians caught the epidemic and for a time cast their cares to the winds and luxuriated on the abundant grass of the park. Young America, ranging from one to eighteen years of age, was out in full force, and predominated in number, fairly sprinkled with some of the prettiest specimens of the fifteen amendment. Gushing young girls, whose minds were full of love and bright hopes for the future, wandered with arms enlaced among the venerable trees. The spirited and enthralling strains of the orchestra added enthusiasm to their tales of love, and caused many to hope that there may yet be a happy lot in store for them, where music, love and worldly wealth will fall to their share. Those who really enjoyed the treat were the numerous tradespeople, and by those whose daily vocations keep the mind busily employed such arrangements cannot fail to be duly appreciated. The orchestra of the Central Park band performed their work excellently, but stretched the pauses a little too much. However, some indulgence is due to them on account of the heat. The programme, as previously announced, was well selected, and gained frequent applause. The overture, from ‘Fra Diavolo,’ and the grand selection from ‘Martha,’ were both operatic chef d’œuvres, while the marches excited the military ardor of all the young bloods who paraded the walks, marking the time. The performance was interlude with a variety of Scotch airs, which through their simplicity and plaintive strains struck many a long forgotten chord in the hearts of the listeners. Much credit is due to the authorities for the able manner in which order was preserved, and on the part of the people it may justly be said that they know how to appreciate a boon.”

“A ‘Lover of Music’ complains that he went to hear ‘the music’ at Washington square last week, but the children there made so much noise that he could not hear, and he wants the Commissioners to appropriate some other day for the ‘ground and lofty tumbling’ of the ‘juvenile band.’ The lover of music is evidently some crusty old bachelor. The gamboling [sic] of the children is a happy sight, and the lover of music should keep his ears clear or else attend the big jubilee and hear music enough to satisfy him for a year.”