Beethoven Maennerchor Masked Ball

Attended by a large audience, which seemed quite satisfied with it. No performance review; primarily descriptions of decorations and a procession. “Neger Minstrels” (Negro Minstrels) mentioned as part of the procession.

The Beethoven Men’s Chorus held its annual masked ball at the Germania Assembly Rooms. The number of masks was significant; the largest part of the audience wore splendid character-- or comedian masks. The procession at midnight included about 150 masks. It was entitled “Glorification of Music” and was separated into several sections personifying the origin of music: medieval music, modern music and local music. The last part represented Anschütz, Hamann, Pain [partly illeg.], choruses with the “future hall” (?) walking in harmony with Negro minstrels, organ players, etc. The singers of the [Beethoven] society performed Lachner’s “Hymn to Music” conducted by Apollo Träger.