New York Manufacturing Jewelers’ Association Presentation Concert & Lottery
Event Information
Venue(s):
Academy of Music
Conductor(s):
John P. Cooke [cond.-comp.-vocal]
Price: $1
Event Type:
Orchestral
Performance Forces:
Instrumental, Vocal
Record Information
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
12 July 2016
Performance Date(s) and Time(s)
28 Sep 1864, Evening29 Sep 1864, Evening
30 Sep 1864, Evening
Program Details
Fanny Stockton by permission of Maretzek. Program included operatic morceaux, ballads, concerted pieces; overtures and marches performed by a grand orchestra.
Performers and/or Works Performed
Citations
1)
Large AD. “Italian, German, and English artists who have been engaged for this novel musical event. . . . A Peculiar and Original Feature. Read! Read! Read! A Valuable Present To Each Ticket. To each ticket sold is attached A COUPON, which entitles the purchaser to A BEAUTIFUL PRESENT, varying in value from ONE DOLLAR TO FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. . . . The presents will be given from the IMMENSE STOCK OF JEWELRY, PIANOS, DIAMONDS, SEWING MACHINES, SILVER WARE, BREAKFAST SETS, TEA SETS, GOLD WATCHES, TOILET SETS, SILVER WATCHES, BRACELETS, GUARD CHAINS, BROCHES, SOLITAIRES, STUDS, RINGS, &c.
2)
Prizes range from $1 to $500 and include jewels, furniture, pianos, etc.
5)
“Owing to great demand for tickets to the first grand concert . . . the directors respectfully announce that they have been induced to make arrangements for a series of concerts, to be given in rapid succession, the first to take place at the Academy of Music, on the evening of Sep. 30.”
7)
Announces concerts for September 29th and 30th with the same program and artists. “A beautiful present delivered at time of purchase.” Tickets are good for any of the three concerts. Parquette and balcony circle reserved for ladies.
10)
“During the week three concerts have been given at this place of amusement, in which some of the finest talent of the city, both vocal and instrumental, have been assisted by an orchestra of 60 performers.”
11)
“An undoubted success is the Presentation Concert Enterprise, tickets going off like hot cakes on a cold night, and with each ticket is given a present, all for one dollar.”
12)
“This species of entertainment is not quite a new phase in metropolitan life, but it is a very curious one. It is half lottery and half concert, and presents the double attraction of being pleasantly humbugged by the drawing of a supposed valuable prize, and pleasantly entertained by very excellent music. . . . The sale of tickets has been immense, and the jam at the Academy something almost fearful. . . . [E]verything new in the way of amusement is sought after just now, when greenbacks are but lightly regarded—we presume because of their deteriorated value—and the public mind pants for excitement, in whatever form it may come. The kind of audience which these concerts draw is not exactly that which the habitues of the Academy are accustomed to see. For instance, variety is the prevailing feature in the costumes, while a hearty demonstration of enjoyment takes the place of the somewhat tame and dignified applause which usually greets the artists of the Opera. In short, the character of the audience as well as of the entertainment is quite new to the Academy; but, then, as the audience pays the money, and both audience and performance pay the managers, it is no doubt a profitable arrangement. The concerts, we may add, are very well conducted, and the performance generally is quite creditable.”