Orchestrion Exhibition

“Last evening a large party of ladies and gentlemen assembled at the establishment of Messrs. Browne & Spaulding, No 568 Broadway, on the occasion of the exhibition of an orchestrion which has just been brought to this country. The name given to the instrument is derived from the fact that it imitates, with great exactness, all the instruments of a full orchestral band. The one now on exhibition at Messrs. Browne & Spaulding’s, excels in its combinations and effects, any similar instrument before constructed. It is the work of German artists, and cost $9,000. Attached to the instrument are twelve cylinders, or barrels, which combine in their repertoire national airs, potpourries [sic] of popular operas, marches, waltzes, and almost every conceivable variety of instrumental melody. The mechanism is inclosed [sic] in a black walnut case fifteen feet high by nine feet wide, richly carved and ornamented.

Last evening the programme comprised the overtures to ‘William Tell,’ ‘Der Freischutz,’ ‘Nebuchadnezzar,’ and ‘Medea,’ with several national airs, waltzes and marches, ending with a pot-pourri in which ‘Pat Malloy,’ ‘L’Africaine,’ ‘Postillion Galop,’ and other airs were given.

The instrument, although not possessing a great volume of sound, has a remarkably sweet and silvery tone. The imitations of the various instruments of a full orchestra, were so perfect that it was difficult to believe they were but imitations. Those who had been invited to witness the performance, were evidently both surprised and delighted, and several professional gentlemen present, expressed their approbation in the warmest terms.”