Central Park Band Concert

Includes program. 

Includes program. 

“It would be difficult to find in any summer resort such a brilliant, inspiring scene as that presented on the Mall in the Park yesterday afternoon. Beneath the inviting shade of the trees that fling their branches over the walks in grateful profusion thousands of promenaders took advantage of the few hours’ vacation from the turmoil of business, and in the misshapen pagoda that serves as a music stand a military band of fifty musicians, under the able direction of Mr. C. S. Grafulla, rendered a very interesting programme. The concert opened with a very Mendelssohnian march, which was succeeded by an overture by Müller. One of Strauss’ prettiest waltzes was then given, and the first part was brought to a conclusion with a trio from Rossini’s ‘Mahomet II.’ Donizetti was next represented by selections from his charming opera, ‘Belisario;’ Verdi, by a fantasia on ‘Macbeth,’ and Suppe, by the ever popular overture, ‘Dichter und Bauer.’ Several light specimens of salon music were on the bill. There should be a change in the music stand, which seems to have been built in utter defiance of all acoustical principles. The band cannot be heard to advantage in such a place. The goat wagons were in considerable requisition yesterday, scores of juvenile drivers handling the lines over the bearded teams. The lake was resplendent with gay craft and young yachtsmen brought their tiny boats with them to the pond near Fifth avenue, under the expectation of being favored with a breeze. The drive was not as well patronized as usual, the equipages being few and far between. But the Mall, in its bustling, enjoyable scenes, was worth a journey, even on a Third avenue car.”