Roman Catholic Orphans: Annual Benefit

Event Information

Venue(s):
Academy of Music

Manager / Director:
S. B. Clarke

Conductor(s):
John P. Cooke [cond.-comp.-vocal]

Price: $.75; half price [sic] children under 12

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
9 June 2016

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

19 Oct 1865, 2:00 PM

Program Details



Performers and/or Works Performed

2)
aka Broken heart; Farmer's daughter
Text Author: Raymond
Participants:  Francis Chanfrau

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 16 October 1865, 7.

Prices.

2)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 18 October 1865.
3)
Announcement: New York Herald, 19 October 1865.
4)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 19 October 1865.

Full casts given.

5)
Review: New York Herald, 20 October 1865, 5.

The Orphans' Benefit at the Academy of Music.—The annual benefit for the Roman Catholic orphans . . . yesterday afternoon and evening was, in point of numbers attending and the receipts obtained, a very satisfactory affair. On both occasions the house was crowded to its fullest capacity. The dismal unpropitious weather did not chill the warm heart of charity, and nothing could have been less encouraging than the state of the atmosphere during the afternoon, which decidedly disimproved in the evening. Probably, at no previous benefit were the friends of the orphans so largely represented, nor, we trust, did the proceeds ever exceed those of yesterday, although they are always on these occasions most liberal. In the afternoon the audience was mainly composed of ladies, as the custom is at all matinees. But the attendance of children in immense force was noticeable from the applause which rang from tiny voices such as the Academy rarely reverberates with.  Chanfrau’s Toodles, poorly supported as it was, proved a great attraction to the young folks.  The San Francisco Minstrels, however, with their overflowing wit and fun and delicious harmony, were the genuine attraction both for young and old. They were most enthusiastically received and repeatedly encored. The final piece of the afternoon performance did not appear to possess much charm for the audience, as we observed quite a large number to leave the house at the opening of the drama, which was the Maid of Croissey [sic], with a full Bowery cast. The Serious Family and a not over brilliant farce were given in the evening, together with other combinations, including some good melodies by Mr. and Mrs. Geary. Upon the whole we conceive that the gentlemen representing orphans who had the affair under their management may congratulate themselves upon the pecuniary results, which must have been very handsome. The stage part of the entertainment was, of course, in other hands, and if it did not come up to a desirable standard of excellence in all particulars the managing committee are not responsible. We are glad to be able to record that the benefit was a success for the estimable institution in whose behalf it was got up.”