Thomas Popular Garden Concert: 47th

Event Information

Venue(s):
Central Park Garden

Proprietor / Lessee:
7th Ave. between 58th and 59th Sts. Central Park Garden

Conductor(s):
Theodore Thomas [see also Thomas Orchestra]

Event Type:
Orchestral

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
22 October 2022

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

24 Jun 1870, Evening

Performers and/or Works Performed

2)
aka Poet and peasant overture
Composer(s): Suppé
3)
aka Blue Danube
Composer(s): Strauss
4)
aka King Stephen; King Steven; Konig Stephan
Composer(s): Beethoven
5)
aka Marche aux flambeaux; Torch song; Torch dance; Fackeltanze
Composer(s): Meyerbeer

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 24 June 1870, 12.
2)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 24 June 1870, 7.
3)
Review: New York Post, 25 June 1870, 2.

“Every evening, at Central Park Garden, the open-air concerts given by Theodore Thomas’s orchestra are attended by large numbers of our best citizens. Night after night the visitor to this popular place of resort will meet there persons eminent in musical, literary, political, or social life. The ‘Garden’ includes a large concert hall, handsomely though rather gaudily frescoed; a spacious restaurant, and an open air space provided with shrubbery and flowers, used chiefly as a promenade. In all parts the music of the orchestra is audible, though the more delicate selections, such as the ‘Träumerei’ and Gounod’s ‘Ave Maria,’ can only be heard to advantage in the concert hall.

“The programme is divided into three parts—all instrumental—with brief intermissions between each; after which the orchestra is summoned by the roll of the drum. Every Thursday night is devoted to classical selections, such as movements from symphonies and the like. Last night one of the miscellaneous programmes was given. Suppe’s overture, ‘Poet and Peasant,’ and Strauss’s charming waltz, the ‘Beautiful blue Danube,’ were received with special favor, while Beethoven’s overture, ‘King Stephen,’ fell dead upon the audience. A very striking ‘Torch Dance,’ by Meyerbeer, containing remarkable passages for the trombone, was played in magnificent style, revealed most admirably the picturesque instrumentation of the great composer.

“Every night the programme is good and attractive, and is well worth the half dollar admission fee. Those who wish to be more retired can secure private boxes, which command a good view of the orchestra and audience. The coolness of the place is one of its greatest charms on these warm nights when the theatres are stifling and hot. The only disadvantage lies in the insufficiency of the car accommodations for returning visitors; but this is an affliction with which a New York resident is unhappily but too familiar.”