Annual Grand Mask Ball and Carnival of the Deutsche Liederkranz

Includes a list of several Liederkranz Society Members.

Two bands will play dance and promenade music without interruption.

“Everyone has heard of the Liederkranz, or musical association that gives concerts, builds halls. . . . The Germans have a heartiness in their affairs that cannot be overestimated.  They make not only themselves but everyone around them happy.”

“The masked balls of the Liederkranz and Arion societies are anticipated with lively interest by our German citizens. The former takes place to-night at the City Assembly Rooms, tickets for a gentleman and ladies costing five dollars.”

“The masquerade ball given last night by the Liederkranz Society was a crowded assemblage of ladies and gentlemen in costume, with here and there an officer of the army or navy, and occasional ‘civil’ personage. A feature of the evening was the procession, in which Punch and Judy figured largely. A waffle-making and distributing machine was in full operation, and gave much amusement. At one o’clock all present unmasked, and dancing was kept up till five o’clock. The only complaint made during the evening was that the Academy of Music had not been secured for the ball.”

“The annual ball of this society took place last evening, at the City Assembly Rooms.

From the reputation of this Society, and the excellence of its former balls, this was looked forward to with great interest by the number who had been so fortunate to secure tickets; which being $5 each, but a limited number issued, and they only to be had by personal introduction of one of the members, brought them in great demand.

The society has been in existence since 1849, when it was formed by a number of German gentlemen, lovers of music, who thought by this means to secure the better cultivation of German music in this country, and to have a place where they might sociably spend their evenings…[provides brief history of the society]…Once a month [the society has] a grand concert, which Messrs. Bergmann, Mason and other celebrities frequently attend.

The Society numbers some 700, with a chorus 110 strong, 50 gentlemen and 60 ladies; they will sing at the Philharmonic Concert on the 12th of March next. The officers are O. Ottendorfer, President; O. Sackerdorff and Dr. Petzhold, Vice-Presidents; George Nembach and H.C.F. Koch, Secretaries; L. Grasse, Treasurer, and A. Paur, Director.

The ball-room was crowded to its utmost extent with a most brilliant assemblage. Two bands, one at each end of the room, gave most excellent music. The costumes were some very rich and some very funny. Here mingled together were Kings and brigands, monks and clowns, soldiers and sailors, Dukes and tailors, Queens and flower-girls, market-women and columbines, and, in fact, almost every character that can be imagined…

The Old Guard, commanded by Gen. Rahme, with its banner, on which was inscribed ‘Stevens Battery,’ and bearing a picture of the old ferry-boat Newark, attracted much attention and caused great amusement, as did also the itinerant musicians. The grand carnival procession was really magnificent. [Describes the participants in the procession and their activities. None musical.]”