Berge Choral Union

Event Information

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

Conductor(s):
William Berge

Event Type:
Choral

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
16 October 2022

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

21 Jun 1870, Evening

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
LIST OF PERFORMER(S)/ORGANIZATION(S)
Participants:  Berge Choral Union;  William Berge
2)
"Preghiera"
Composer(s): Marchetti
3)
Ardita, L'
Composer(s): Arditi
4)
Elijah, "Lift thine eyes"
Composer(s): Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
5)
Marino Faliero, duet
Composer(s): Donizetti
6)
Gazza ladra, La, overture
aka Diebische Elster, Die; Thieving magpie
Composer(s): Rossini
7)
Preciosa, "Es blinken so lustig die Sterne"
aka Gypsy chorus
Composer(s): Weber
8)
Dichter und Bauer, overture
aka Poet and peasant overture
Composer(s): Suppé
9)
Nabucco, "S’appressan gl’istanti"
Composer(s): Verdi

Citations

1)
Announcement: New York Herald, 13 June 1870, 8.
2)
Announcement: New York Herald, 20 June 1870, 8.

Program. “Dr. William Berge will preside at the organ.”

3)
Review: New York Herald, 23 June 1870, 7.

“A large and fashionable audience of the most marked character assembled at Association Hall on Tuesday night bore significant evidence of the popularity of this vocal society. It is by no means an easy undertaking to attract such a first class audience to a concert during the dogdays, but the programme and its rendering fully compensated the patrons of the society for their attendance. The main feature was, of course, the brilliant and artistic organ playing of Dr. William Berge, conductor of the society, and beneath his magic touch the noble instrument became instinct with life. The brilliant overture to ‘Gazza Ladra’ and that of the ‘Poet and Peasant’ received full justice at his hands. The concert commenced with a choral, ‘Preghiera,’ by Marchetti, which was followed by the vocal waltz ‘L’Ardita.’ The ‘Angels’ Trio,’ from ‘Elijah,’ was superbly sung, every lovely melodic phrase being imbued with all the tenderness and expression it required. The quartet and chorus ‘S’Aprèssan,’ from ‘Nabucco,’ was a severe test of the training of the society, but they stood it well. There was, indeed, little to be desired in the rendering of the entire programme, and Mr. John A. Godfrey, president, and Dr. Berge, director of the society, may congratulate themselves on the success of the past season.”