Vocal and Instrumental Concert: Emil Rullmann Benefit

“These concerts are given for the benefit of Mr. Emil Rullman, the Janitor of the late Academy of Music, who suffered a severe loss on that occasion.  For a long period he has filled his position to the satisfaction of all with whom his duties brought him in contact, and the warm sympathy felt for his loss has resulted in this generous endeavor on the part of his friends”; lists performers

            “We are happy to say, that the concerts given at Irving Hall on Saturday afternoon and evening, were very brilliantly attended. The volunteers on this occasion comprised nearly all the principal artists of the operatic companies of Maretzek, Grau, and Grover, presenting an array of vocal talent superior to any brought together at one time in this country. There were 15 or 16 artists, beside the orchestra and chorus, and the conductors Maretzek, Bergmann, Abella and Sarti.  There were fewer disappointments than is usual at volunteer concerts, the place of Mme. D’Angri being ably supplied by Signor Bellini.

            “All the artists were very cordially received by the public, and the encores were numerous and unanimous.  Miss Kellogg’s appearance was the signal for the most enthusiastic reception we have seen accorded to any artist for many years, and it was gratifying to witness so cordial a greeting of a native artist amid so much foreign talent, which it is the fashion ever to exalt. Her rendition of a lovely ballad, by Wallace, was the occasion of a double encore, well merited and cordially given. Mr. Maretzek was also received with loud and continued applause.

            “All the artists exerted themselves to the best effect on this occasion, and we have rarely heard a performance where the excellence was more general, and the satisfaction more complete. We understand that the result in a pecuniary point of view was highly satisfactory, proving the sympathy of the public with the occasion and the estimation in which the recipient of the benefit is held.”

“The grand complimentary concert to Mr. Emile Rullman was given at Irving Hall on Saturday, and was in every way very successful. There were two performances, one in the afternoon and the other in the evening. Both were well attended, and by audiences that we barely expect to meet at this season of the year. The pecuniary result was in the highest degree satisfactory. Mr. Rullman  [sic] will at least recover the more serious part of his loss at the Academy fire. Nor will his satisfaction end here. It is surely a great pleasure to know that many years of faithful servitude have brought him the friendship of those with whom he has come in contact. The performances were in every way satisfactory. The singers—with the exception of Madame D’angri, who did not appear—were all in capital voice; the soloists could hardly have been better. It does not become us to speak critically on such an occasion. It will suffice that all were animated with the desire to please. Success under such circumstances was certain. Miss Kellogg was recalled four times. Mr. S. B. Mills was vociferously encored in the rhapsody by Liszt, Signor Anastasi in his romanza from ‘Martha,’ &c., &c. Mr. Max Maretzek on his appearance to conduct, was greeted with a tremendous burst of applause, which continued for several minutes. The public does not seem disposed to forget its impresario, and this demonstration shows how futile have been the efforts to injure him.”

“The concerts given on Saturday afternoon and evening at Irving Hall, for the benefit of Emil Rullmann, were complete successes. Nearly all of the best talent in our different operatic companies was represented, the artists having volunteered their services with commendable willingness. The long and rich programmes were performed unusually well, and as the applause was so frequent and so enthusiastic that there could be no doubt of the appreciativeness of the audiences. Miss Kellogg was encored three times. Mr. Max Maretzek, on entering to conduct the overture to the ‘Prophet,’ was greeted with a storm of applause, so vociferous and so prolonged, that the usually imperturbable manager was for once fairly overcome.”