Black Crook

Event Information

Venue(s):
Niblo's Garden

Proprietor / Lessee:
Henry C. Jarrett
Henry Palmer

Manager / Director:
Henry C. Jarrett
Henry Palmer

Price: $1.50 reserved orchestral stalls; $1 parquet, dress circle; $.50 family circle

Event Type:
Play With Music

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
24 March 2025

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

27 Oct 1873, Evening
28 Oct 1873, Evening
29 Oct 1873, Evening
30 Oct 1873, Evening
31 Oct 1873, Evening
01 Nov 1873, Evening
01 Nov 1873, 1:30 PM

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
Black crook, The, [play]
Participants:  Kiralfy Ballet and Pantomime Troupe;  London Madrigal Boys;  Swabian Female Nightingale Quartet;  E. D. [ventriloquist] Davies;  Felix [caricaturist] Regamey

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 26 October 1873, 7.

Notes the participation of “the wonderful Girards.”

2)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 26 October 1873, 13.
“Not withstanding [sic] the enormous outlay attendant on the production of the BLACK CROOK at this establishment, an expense far exceeding that incurred at ANY THEATRE IN THE WORLD, the management beg leave to present the following POPULAR PRICES. [Lists prices.]” Cast list. Multiple cards on this page.
3)
Announcement: New York Herald, 26 October 1873, 8.

“The incidental entertainments introduced into ‘The Black Crook’ are to be entirely changed to-morrow evening.” Briefly describes these changes (none are related to music).

4)
Review: New-York Times, 28 October 1873, 5.

“Probably few persons except the managers of Niblo’s Garden can accurately state now many times the ‘Black Crook’ has been reconstructed. Last evening, however, witnessed the last reconstruction of this extraordinary spectacle, and to the main features which have rendered it so popular were added a considerable number of novel acts…The Swabian Female Nightingale Quartet made their first appearance in America last night, and achieved an immediate success. These ladies sing national melodies with great vivacity and sweetness, and as their style of singing, and their airs are entirely new they will certainly become one of the attractions of the ‘Black Crook.’” No further mention of music.

5)
Review: New York Sun, 29 October 1873, 3.

“‘The Black Crook’ has again been reconstructed; that is some very pleasing new dances and dancers have been introduced; some new songs likewise…Moreover, some new singers, viz.: The Swabian Female Nightingale quartette…The spectacle is really brilliant in all respects, and many portions of it are very beautiful, while the variety performance is an excellent entertainment of itself, since all who take part in it are exceedingly dexterous in their way.”

6)
Review: New York Clipper, 08 November 1873, 254.

Long review with little mention of music. “…The Swabian Quartet consisted only of three ladies on the evening we attended—Wednesday; but, although short in quantity, they were good in quality, and sang sweetly several of their native melodies, the echo song being very well rendered…”