Charles E. Dobson: First Banjo Concert

Event Information

Venue(s):
Cooper Institute

Price: $.50; reserved seats for ladies

Event Type:
Chamber (includes Solo)

Performance Forces:
Instrumental

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
10 May 2012

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

05 Dec 1864, 8:00 PM

Program Details



Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
LIST OF PERFORMER(S)/ORGANIZATION(S)
Participants:  Alex R. Walsh [piano];  Mr. Hebberd;  J. C. [falsetto] Palmer;  Philip Wheller;  Mr. Logan;  J. W. [minstrel] Clifton;  George [tenor] Dessoye;  Richard [vocalist] Bryson;  Master [vocalist] La Clare;  Henry Clay Dobson;  Jennie Eisler;  Henrietta La Clare;  George Guy [baritone];  Miss Ella Sanborn;  John T. Boyce [minstrel];  George Clifton Dobson;  Charles Edgar, Sr. Dobson

Citations

1)
Announcement: New York Herald, 18 November 1864, 1.

2)
Announcement: New York Sun, 19 November 1864, 4.

3)
Announcement: New-York Daily Tribune, 21 November 1864, 5.

     “[T]he first of the kind ever given here.”

4)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 21 November 1864, 7.

5)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 26 November 1864, 262.

6)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 26 November 1864, 7.

     “Choice seats for ladies.”

7)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 27 November 1864, 7.

     Performers.

8)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 02 December 1864, 7.

     Now lists Byron as Bryson, baritone.

9)
Announcement: New-York Times, 03 December 1864, 4.

     “Banjo Concert. The Dobson Brothers, who have made the banjo their favorite musical instrument for study and practice, propose to give a concert on Monday evening at the Cooper Institute. While this will be the leading instrument, the entertainment will be varied by the introduction of others. It will be worth attending.”

10)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 05 December 1864, 7.

     Performers.  “The popular mind connects the banjo alone with negro minstrelsy. The Dobson Brothers claim that it ranks with the violin, piano or guitar, and on this occasion will prove by their wonderful manipulations of difficult compositions that the banjo is an instrument of great merit. . . . Prof. Alex R. Walsh, the eminent pianist, of Brooklyn.”

11)
Announcement: New-York Times, 05 December 1864, 4.

     “Mr. Dobson is reputed to be one of the best performers on the instrument.”