Thomas Popular Musical Matinee: 9th

Event Information

Venue(s):
Irving Hall

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

Price: $.50; $2 for family or season tickets

Event Type:
Orchestral

Performance Forces:
Instrumental, Vocal

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
9 October 2024

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

19 Dec 1863, 1:00 PM

Program Details

The family or season tickets for $2 admitted one person six times or six people once.

A copy of Fradel's Christmas Polka was given to every lady in the audience. The polka was “dedicated to the lady patrons of the Thomas Popular Musical Matinee” (see New York Times advertisement).

The selections from Faust are given for the “fourth time by request.”

Performers and/or Works Performed

2)
Composer(s): Gade
Participants:  Thomas Orchestra
3)
Composer(s): Donizetti
4)
Composer(s): Fradel
Participants:  Thomas Orchestra
5)
aka Variationes brilliante; Air varie
Composer(s): Rode
Participants:  Madame Comte Borchard
6)
aka Grand Potpourri
Composer(s): Gounod
7)
aka Freischutz overture
Composer(s): Weber
8)
Composer(s): Verdi
Participants:  Sherwood C. Campbell
9)
Composer(s): Strauss
10)
Composer(s): Flotow
Participants:  William Castle
11)
aka To thee my heart belongeth; Praise ye the lord
Composer(s): Verdi
12)
Composer(s): Meyerbeer

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 15 December 1863.

2)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 15 December 1863, 7.

Notice.--On the occasion of the next popular Musical Matinée, Dec. 19, each purchaser of a ticket of admission will be presented with a copy of the ‘Christmas Polka,’ 5 pages, composed by Mr. Charles Fradel, and dedicated to the Lady Patrons of Theodore Thomas’ popular Musical Maintée at Irving Hall.”

3)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 17 December 1863, 7.

4)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 19 December 1863.

5)
Announcement: New-York Times, 19 December 1863, 6.

“If the weather be fine to-day, we advise our lady readers to improve the opportunity by visiting Irving Hall.  The programme is one of best yet presented at these entertainments.  There are (for the orchestra) a Symphony, a Polka, a selection from ‘Faust,’ an Overture, a Waltz, and a Polonaise.  In the vocal department, that admirable artist, Mme. Borchard, will give Rhodes’ [sic] celebrated air and variations, singing subsequently in a trio from ‘Attilla,’ [sic] with Messrs. Castle and Campbell, who have solos and concerted pieces of their own.  As if to bribe the public into good humor, Mr. Theodore Thomas presents all the ladies who may be present to-day with a copy of Charles Fradel’s latest and liveliest composition, the ‘Christmas Polka,’ which will also be played by the orchestra.”

6)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 19 December 1863, 9.

7)
Review: New-York Times, 21 December 1863, 4.

“The combined attraction of a fine day and splendid programme, drew an unusually brilliant audience to Irving Hall, on Saturday, when Mr. Theodore Thomas gave his ninth popular musical matinée. So many pretty girls are not often seen in one place. This fact alone should secure the success of the enterprise. There is no doubt, indeed, about its being already a success. A few fine Saturdays will make the Thomas matinée as popular as a Philharmonic rehearsal. Mde. Borchard took part in Saturday’s programme, singing with great skill Rhode’s [sic] well known air and variations, and assisting Messrs. Castle and Campbell in various concerted pieces. One of the instrumental attractions of the occasion was a new polka, (called the Christmas), by Mr. Charles Fradel,—a lively and neatly written morceau, which will undoubtedly become a favorite with the dancing as well as the playing public. Mr. Thomas is doing a good work in thus encouraging our resident composers. The lady patrons of the matinées were presented with copies of the polka, which is published by Mr. Theodore Hagen.”

8)
Review: Dwight's Journal of Music, 26 December 1863, 158.
Brief mention.  “[V]ery well attended.”