Soirees Fantastique et Musicale
Event Information
Venue(s):
Salle Diabolique
Price: $.50; .25 children
Event Type:
Chamber (includes Solo), Variety / Vaudeville
Performance Forces:
Instrumental
Record Information
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
5 April 2011
Performance Date(s) and Time(s)
18 Apr 1864, 8:00 PM19 Apr 1864, 8:00 PM
20 Apr 1864, 8:00 PM
21 Apr 1864, 8:00 PM
22 Apr 1864, 8:00 PM
23 Apr 1864, 2:00 PM
23 Apr 1864, 8:00 PM
Program Details
Opening was originally scheduled for 04/11/1864 but was postponed because of the Metropolitan Fair. Venue called Robert Heller’s Salon for original opening on 04/11/1864.
Performers and/or Works Performed
Citations
1)
“Heller, who combines in himself the opposite qualities of a professor of magic and an artist on the piano-forte, will shortly commence a series of entertainments at the old Théâtre Français, opposite Niblo’s. We have not seen Mr. Heller in his ‘magic temple,’ but we have heard him play, and can vouch for his astonishing powers as a pianist.”
3)
“The distinguished pianist and the greatest illusionist of the nineteenth century . . . will commence his novel, elegant, startling and amusing series of entertainments known as Soirees Fantastiques et Musicales, or Evenings of Music and Mystery.”
4)
The place occupied in the past by the Théâtre Français (585 Broadway) reopens its doors today, under the auspices of Robert Heller, ‘pianist prestidigitateur.’
7)
“Special Card. The Sanitary Fair and Robert Heller at the request of Executive Committee of the Sanitary Fair, the distinguished Pianist and the grant illusionist of his time, Robert Heller, will postpone his opening night from April 11, as announced, until Monday, April 18, and will make his first appearance before the New-York public, after an absence of many years, in Behalf of the Sanitary Commission, at the Union-square Fair Buildings, on Wednesday April 17.”
8)
“We venture to predict that Mr. Heller’s performances will speedily become the rage.”
9)
“Wonderful, Startling, Scientific, Amusing, and Incomprehensible Evenings of Music and Mystery”
10)
“Robert Heller, the magician, gave last night his first entertainment of the season at his hall, 585 Broadway, performing a variety of interesting and inexplicable tricks, among them the feat of producing from an ordinary cotton pocket handkerchief at least a bushel of plumes and feather-brushes of most portentous size. After the entertainment, a number of members of the press and other invited guest partook of a bountiful supper at the Metropolitan Hotel. George W. Morgan, the organist, proposed the health of Mr. Heller, who responded briefly.
The Heller entertainments, minus the supper, will be given every evening till further notice.”
The Heller entertainments, minus the supper, will be given every evening till further notice.”
11)
“Mr. Robert Heller gave his first entertainment of magic and music at the Salon, No. 585 Broadway, on Monday evening. It was in every respect a complete success. Mr. Heller has not been surpassed as an illusionist by any of his predecessors, and as an agreeable and witty talker, he is incomparably the superior of them all. A blind man could enjoy an evening in his establishment, so dry, apropos and quizzical are his remarks. Mr. Heller is an excellent pianist—one of the best in the country. It is a pleasant relief to mystery to have it so agreeably mingled with music. We can heartily commend the ‘Soirées Fantastiques et Musicales.’ They are so thoroughly good that they ought to become a permanent institution, as in Paris and London.”