Bateman and Harrison Wednesday Popular Concert: 7th

No date given.

Regrets lack of variety in programs this season and extols beauty of English part songs. “In connection with this music we would suggest that room be made at our concerts for the compositions of American artists, many of which deserve a better fate than the obscurity in which they have hitherto lain.”

"The Cecilian Choir has been merged into the Wednesday Popular Concerts--at least for the concert of the present week. With orchestra, organ, soloists, and a choir of one hundred voices, it wil be strange if the hall is not crowded to its greatest extent. We are certain that no concert of equal merit and interest has veen given this year. The choir sings several choice pieces from 'Elijah' and 'Samson,' and with orchestra, &c., the 'Soldier's Chorus,' from 'Faust,' the national song the 'Flag of our Union,' and one or more English madrigals. We have heard the national song, and can pronounce that the effect will be electrical."

"The usual Wednesday Popular Concert will be given this evening at Steinway Hall. The Cecilian Choir will assist."

"Wednesday Popular Concert.--The concert to-night at Steinway Hall promises to be not merely the most interesting one of the seires, but of the season. The Cecilian choir, under Dr. Cutler--which we venture to say is the best organized mass of voices in the country--will assist. Mr. Thomas and his orchestra will be there, and as soloist we have Mr. Alfred H. Pease. For full particulars of the programme we refer to our advertising columns. It will be seen that the pieces are both good and popular. Notwithstanding the increased attraction the prices of admission remain the same. We have no hesitation in saying that this concert is the cheapest and best ever offered to a New-York public."

“The sixth Wednesday popular concert at this favorite hall last evening offered rare attractions to the large audience assembled there. The Cecilian choir, with Masters Coker and Toedt at their head, sang the following pieces:--The Soldiers’ Chorus, ‘Thanks be to God,’ from Elijah; ‘There, Round About the Starry Throne,’ ‘We’re all Noddin’,’ The Flag of Our Union, and a madrigal by Morley. The Angel Trio was sung by Masters Toedt, Cocker and Bourne. Master Toedt sang ‘Hear Ye, Israel,’ from Elijah, and Master Richard Coker sang Gounod’s barcarolle, Voulez Vous Aller, Le Romeo, Bellini and a ballad by Gugliemo [sic]. Messrs. Pease and Colby were the pianists, and Messrs. Thatcher, Campbell and Bartlett the other vocal soloists. Master Coker’s voice was in its best condition last night, and with young Toedt’s beautiful soprano, it was worthy to lead such an admirable body of young artists as Dr. Cutler’s choir. The programme was successfully carried out, and chorus, orchestra and organ combined to render it with grandeur and effect.”

“The popular Concert of Wednesday last was one of the best and most meritorious affairs of the kind we have ever attended. The programme combined not merely the usual attractions provided by Messrs. BATEMAN and HARRISON at these agreeable re-unions, but the additional attractions of the ‘Cecilian Choir’ under Dr. CUTLER and of several admirable soloists—vocal and instrumental. The programme contained seventeen pieces, but so readily and steadily was the succession kept up that at the customary hour the end had been reached. We cannot dwell on all the numbers of so extensive a programme, nor is it necessary. The orchestra, under Mr. THEODORE THOMAS, played with its accustomed precision, and was, as heretofore, a leading feature of the evening’s exercises.  The members of the choir sang the ‘Angel Trio’ by MENDELSSOHN; the ‘Soldier’s [sic] Chorus,’ from ‘Faust,’ by GOUNOD (with orchestra;) a scena from ‘Elijah,’ (with Mr. W. C. CAMPBELL;) a madrigal by MORLEY, and another by MEHUL; and, lastly, WALLACE’S national hymn, ‘The Flag of our Union Forever’—the latter with orchestra and organ. The effect of the combined forces can hardly be exaggerated. The material of the choir, and its training and precision, have often been commended in these columns. These qualities were never more noticeable than in the difficult and varied selection to which we have called attention, Master RICHARD COKER, the leading soprano of the choir—who has recently completed a successful European tour—made his rentree as a soloist. He sang a barcarolle by GOUNOD, a ballad by GUGLIELMO, and an aria by BELLINI—pleasing compositions all of them, and well calculated to display the purity and freshness of the young singer’s voice. Such an organ is entirely phenomical, and well-accounts for the sensation Master COKER has created abroad. Hardly inferior to it is the voice of Master TOEDT, who sang MENDELSSOHN’S aria ‘Hear ye Israel,’ with exquisite pathos. This little shaver led the choir in the amusing Madrigal of ‘We are all Noddies.’[sic] Mr. THATCHER, the tenor, assisted as a soloist with good taste, and Mr. A. H. PEASE was the pianist.”