Testimonial Concert to Mr. George Leach

Event Information

Venue(s):
Irving Hall

Price: $.50; $1 reserved

Event Type:
Chamber (includes Solo)

Performance Forces:
Instrumental, Vocal

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
18 April 2020

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

07 May 1864, Evening

Program Details

J. R. Thomas was scheduled to appear but did not. The published program included him on the following numbers: T. Cook: “Love in war” Duet (Geary and Thomas); Verdi: Ernani duet (Mozart and Thomas); Fosea (sp?): “The message bird” (Thomas); and Barnett: “This magic wove scarf” (Mozart, Simpson, Thomas).

Performers and/or Works Performed

2)
aka Ah, mio figlio; Beggar's song; Prophete. Ah! mons fils
Composer(s): Meyerbeer
Participants:  Sophie Mozart
4)
aka Good night, farewell; Gute Nacht
Composer(s): Kücken
5)
aka The Three fishers;
Composer(s): Hullah
Text Author: Kingsley
Participants:  Mary E. Hawley
6)
Composer(s): Mills
Participants:  Sebastian Bach Mills
7)
aka Come into the garden Maude
Composer(s): Balfe
Text Author: Tennyson
Participants:  Gustavus Geary
8)
aka Kiss; Kuss, Der
Composer(s): Arditi
Participants:  Maria Scoville Brainerd
10)
Composer(s): Horn [composer]
Participants:  Sophie Mozart
11)
Composer(s): Balfe
Participants:  Mary E. Hawley;  George Simpson
12)
Composer(s): Mort
Participants:  Maria Scoville Brainerd
13)
Composer(s): Cooke [composer]

Citations

1)
Announcement: New-York Times, 02 May 1864.
“Mr. George Leach, a gentleman who has done good service in the cause of church music, will be the recipient of a grand complimentary concert at Irving Hall, on Saturday evening next, the 7th of May. Several artists of distinction have volunteered for the occasion.”
2)
Announcement: New York Post, 06 May 1864, 2.
“Mr. Leach, it will be remembered, has rendered a signal service to the cause of church music by the compilation of the admired music book, ‘Church and Home.’”
3)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 07 May 1864.

4)
Announcement: New-York Times, 07 May 1864, 4.
“Mr. George Leach, a gentleman who for many years past has identified himself with the cause of sacred music, and has published several works on that prolific subject, will be the recipient of a testimonial concert at this establishment. We trust that it will interest the friends of the beneficiary, and that the general public may not be stingy of its half-dollars.  The programme is both interesting and popular.”
5)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 07 May 1864, 7.
Program.
6)
Review: New York Post, 09 May 1864, 2.
J.R. Thomas was scheduled to appear but did not.  “The Leach Testimonial Concert on Saturday night at Irving Hall was but poorly attended, though we presume the attendance did not adequately represent the sale of tickets.  With the exception of the defection of J.R. Thomas, the programme was well carried out, the piano playing of Berge and Morgan in a duet on themes from the ‘Huguenots,’ and Mills’s ‘Faust’ fantasia, being the instrumental features of the evening.  Miss Brainerd, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Geary, Mr. Chase and Mr. Griswold were the vocalists.”
7)
Review: Musical Review and World, 21 May 1864, 168.
“A grand testimonial concert was given to Mr. George Leach.  Miss Marie Brainard [sic], Mrs. Johnson, and Messrs. Gustavus Geary, D.D. Griswold, George Simpson, S.B. Mills, Wm. Berge, Geo. W. Morgan, H.C. Timm, and Dr. Claire W. Beames assisted.”