Charity Concert in Aid of the Fund of the Ladies’ Benevolent Society of St. Ann’s Church for Deaf Mutes

Event Information

Venue(s):
Irving Hall

Conductor(s):
Pedro de Abella

Event Type:
Chamber (includes Solo)

Performance Forces:
Instrumental, Vocal

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
10 September 2014

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

29 Jan 1864, 8:00 PM

Program Details

The cast also included pupils of Mr. Louis Schrieber.

Performers and/or Works Performed

Citations

1)
Announcement: New York Post, 31 December 1863, 2.
List of performers.
2)
Announcement: New York Post, 25 January 1864, 2.

3)
Announcement: New-York Times, 25 January 1864, 4.
Says the concert was to be on “Wednesday next.”
4)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 28 January 1864.
“An ‘Ode to Charity’ will be recited by the Author, John A. Godfrey, Esq. previous to the concert.” First appearance in New York for Moss and Herz.  Maccaferri is from the Italian Opera.
5)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 28 January 1864, 7.

6)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 29 January 1864, 7.

7)
Review: New-York Times, 01 February 1864, 4.

“Irving Hall, which of late has been handed over entirely to the graceful offices of the Terpsichore, was once more gladdened with the sounds of music. A concert was given there in aid of the funds of the Ladies’ Benevolent Society of St. Ann’s Church for Deaf Mutes. Judging from the brilliant attendance, we should think that the financial object was fully accomplished. The programme was of the most popular Italian stamp, and was interpreted in a large measure by amateurs. The exceptions were Mme D’Angri—the Queen of Contralti—and the Bretto children. It is unnecessary to say of the lady that she sang with faultless brilliancy. The boys, too, were excellent. Is it right to speak of Mme. Jennie Van Zandt as an amateur? The lady, to be sure, appears before the public in that modest light, but her qualifications entitle her to all the consideration due to an artist. We cannot call to mind a more acceptable concert singer. Her voice is a clear and ringing soprano, of good power, even texture, and excellent cultivation. Such voices are rare in the professional world, and should, in fact, belong to it. A young lady pianist, Miss Jennie E. Moss, played a sparkling arrangement by Ascher, from Wallace’s opera of ‘Lurline,’ with a grace and intelligent clearness that promise much in the future. The fashionable way of playing a fantasia is seldom attractive to any save the parents of the player. This young lady, however, preserved the wholeness of the composition without exaggerating or slurring its parts. Although visibly alarmed at finding herself before a large audience, she displayed good taste, considerable technical facility, and a degree of power and quality of tone that were altogether acceptable. Previous to the concert, Mr. John A. Godfrey recited an appropriate and pleasing ‘Ode to Charity.’”