The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-07 00:00:00

MONDAY EVENING CONCERTS FOR
TELE PEOPLE.

The committee hayed ust issued their first annual
report, in which they state that the " Monday
Evening Concerts for the People" were commenced
during the summer of 1856, under the direction of
a committee of working men, who were desirous of
providing musical recreation of a refining and ele-
vating character—the want of which bad been long
felt by the sober and intelligent portion of the
working classes of the metropolis. The first series
of 10 concerts was given at the Philharmonic-
Rooms, Newman-street, Oxford-street ; but, in
order to carry 'out efficiently the views of the pro-
moters, it was found necessary to obtain a larger
room. Arrangements were accordingly made wi h
Mr. Hullah for the use of St. Martin's Ilan, ill
which the second series, consisting of 36 perform•
ances, took place ; making in all 45 weekly con-
certs, which have been given without intermission
from July 15, 1856, to May 18, 1857—a fact, it
believed, altogether unprecedented in the musical
annals of the metropolis. From the commencement,
to the close of the present season, the he ave-
rage concerts
have been attended by 50,000 persons. T
attendance at the second series has been wp•
wards of 1,200 ; and on one or
Thetw Lord Mayor
sheriffs, o occasions as
many as 2,300 were admitteds,and other civic
and Lady Mayoress, the hiff
dignitaries, and clergymen eorf various denomina-
tions, have sanctioned the efforts of the commiWe
by their presence ; and the members of the pubic
press, of all creeds and parties, have repeatedly
borne testimony to the hig character of the pe:e
formances, as well as to the perfectly good order
that has invariably prevailed at these entertain-
' nts. The total amount of expense incurred in
nerrrying
on these concerts is between 1,3001. and
1,4001., of which the following .are the three most
important items : viz., artistes, 5401. ; rent of hall,
sre., 34V. ; printing and adverdsing, 3151. On
reference to the balance sheet, it will be seen Viat
the expenditure has exceeded the receipts (includ-
ing subscriptions to the guarantee fund, to June
Ist) by more than 2001. This appears to have
been the case also with the " People's Concerts"
in the provincial towns, which, although they a,O
now sAf-sapportine, almost invariably experienced
a similar difficuly ata starting. Having at the com-
mencement announced that the surplus, should any
arise, would be applied in aid of the public hospi-
tals, the committee cannot possibly derive any pecu-
niary benefit, no matter how successful the proj"ct
may become. They, therefore, trust that those who
approve of this attempt to supply an acknowledged
public want, and who have not yet con•ributed,
will at once exhibit their sympathy by becoming
subscribers to the "guarantee fund ;' and thus
enable the committee to make arrangements Ix
resuming the concerts with increased efficiency
during the next season, and at the same time re-
lieve them from a responsibility, which, consider-
ing their humble means, is felt to be a serious bur-
den. The committee, in conclusion, state that sub-
scriptions will be thankfully received by the trea-
surer, John Augustus Nicholay, Esq., church-
-1 warden of St. Marylebone, 8Z Oxford-street, and
by other gentlemen whose names are mentioned.
We trust their appeal will be heartily responded to,
for their.cause is a good one.