Liederkranz Concert: 1st

"American premiere of Prometheus."

“Liederkranz Hall was last evening crowded by members of the Society and their friends, the attraction being a vocal and instrumental concert. A creditable piano performance by Herr Bonewitz, singing by Frau Breyne and Herr Eltz, and a recital of Liszt’s ‘Prometheus’ consistuted the entertainment. The composition named last was never before interpreted in America. Without being ungrateful toward the Liederkranz Society for their labors, we are bound to say that we wish these had resulted in the exposition of a less wearisome work. ‘Prometheus’ consists of a noisy introduction and of eight choruses intended to represent the chaunts of the oceanides, tritons, dryads, reapers, vine-dressers, dwellers in the under and invisible worlds, and muses. Anything more pretentious and less pictorial or suggestive has never previously been done in this City, although the Liederkranz Society has already sought to make known here the same composer’s ‘Saint Cecilia.’ The orchestra and chorus, of course, acquitted themselves capitally of their task. None so thankless has ever, in our opinion, been set them.”