Berger Family of Swiss Bell Ringers

“The talented Berger Family commence to-morrow night the third and last week of an exceedingly interesting and successful engagement. Their performance is novel and elegant, just suitable for a summer season. They number in the troupe female violinists, violoncellists and cornet players and a parlor orchestra of string and brass. The bell ringing alone is quite a feature, and Mr. Sol Smith Russel, comedian, and Miss Maud Stanley, vocalist, contribute much to the attractions of the performance.”

“The Berger bell-ringers are still ringing their melodious changes on the ‘Bluebells of Scotland’ and ‘Champagne Charlie’ at Lina Edwin’s. It is surprising what a new and undreamed-of grace some of these hackneyed old airs derive from this new and charming method of execution. The bell-ringing, with the cornet-playing, is still the most attractive part of the performance. In view of the less artistic character of the vocalism of Mr. Sol Russell’s comicalities, the judicious auditor will wish, with Jacynth’s lover, that there were ‘More of the music, and less of the words.’” 

“The Berger Family of Swiss Bell-Ringers will remain at this house another week and offer its [illegible] and charming entertainment every night and at a Saturday matinee. The programme undergoes continual change, but always retains its distinguishing attributes of delicacy and refinement. A wealth of rich and tender melody lies in the bells, and it is beautifully brought out by the adroit, precise and sympathetic [illegible] of Miss Henrietta and Miss Annie Berger. The former of these ladies executes some solos, with remarkable grace, and the latter performs, with skill—and with a certain nonchalance of manner that is equally diverting and attractive—on the violin, the harp, the cornet, and other instruments, in addition to the bells. There is genuine and versatile talent in the Berger Family, and the entertainment is at once chaste and piquant, delicate and spirited, a luxury to the ear and a joy to the emotions and the understanding. We especially direct to this performance the attention of those who wish to find amusement for children. The gentleness and purity which should hallow every pleasure offered to youth and childhood are especially prominent in the performances of the Berger Family of Swiss Bell-Ringers.” 

“This company came her utter strangers, and at a season of the year when their enterprise might be regarded as extremely hazardous, yet, possessing sterling merit, they achieved a brilliant artistic success, while in a pecuniary point of view the season was moderately successful.” Presentation of a solid gold cornet to Anna Berger [separate announcement].