The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-12-11
Lager Bier Concerts.

oNN ''Nh SVhNIltS.
The New York Musical Review affords
us the following glimpse into Free Con-
cert in New York:
Attracted by the words "French Theatre
and Lager Bier" down we went. and found
ourselves in low. damp cellar. dimlv
lighted, and packed to its utmost capacity
wi!h people of all ages, sexes. and condi.
tons. Frenchmen, Spaniards, Germans.
Italians. Hebrews, Euglishmen, Americans
all nations seemed to be represented.
We crowded our way through the dense
mass, and finally took seat at n table near
the stage, which was gotten up with con.
siderable degree of taste. 4 drop scene.
about eight feet 10y ten, shut on, the view
OF the stage, and increased the anxiety Of
the audience 10 lean wha, mysteries it con.
ceaed. In the orchestra box Ohere was an
orchestra box, little larger than n candle
boX) sat vioIinist and "a cornopean player,
who, at the sound uf "a bell co:i imenced the
overture. The performance was about 10
commence! A hreaihess silence per, aded
the vas, assemhlage. The overture orer.
the bell was again sounded. and tho curtain
slowly assembled, disclosing flat" which
represented tie interior of a room, and two
or three side scenes, jus, wide enough 10 al.
low the spectators 10 see every thing that
took place behind them. That this was
very refreshing can be well understood
when we inform our readers that near one
OF them was the dressing room of the prin.
cipal dauscuSe of the establishment, who
WAS at the time Of the rising of the curtain
consulting n mirror in regard to the effect
produced by the application Cf n rouge
laden rabbits foot 10 her cheeks, and whose
toilet we must remark, 1'assiD, was not en-.
urely completed.
The performance was commenced bv the
landlord, dapp~r little Frenchman, in his
shirt sleeves, who marched ou; into the cen.
Ter of the stage, aud, aI;cr having recognis.
ed several of his acquaintances in the audi
ence before him with familiar bows and
winkS, gave lh" signal TO the orchestra, and
sang, in Il chIrpiug. cheerful manner, a
French lore-Sons, which pleased immense
~, and which WAS encnred. The song was
repeated; the little landlord bowed. and the
curtain descended amidst n whirlwind of
applause. An iu;ermission of fifteen min.
uIes for refreshments" ensued. The wait.
ers, Frerc', IRISH, and German girls, flew
around with busy zeal. dispensing the pop.
nar beverage; fresh cigars we're lighted, he
conversation WAS resumed. and finally
reached such pitch Of enthusiasm, tha,
there was very fair prospect Of pretty
little row; when the hell rang, the curtain
assembled, and the orchestra struck up. This
time, a youthful German. with an incipien.
muStache, and an exceedingly dirty guitar.
appeared and sang a German song. He
finished, bowed meekIy to the thunders Of
applause ani disappeared. lie was follow.
ed hy n very sickly and remarkably de.
banched looking young Frcnchman, with
rakISh mu,taci:o, who sang n French am
orous soEg with SO much junction. that the
cheeks Of tair bu, we tear frail French
girl, who sat opposite us, were tinged with
slight blush; and she east her ewes. first
at lis, to learn whether we understood the
language, and then with modesty (?) to the
hoor. Tho song, Of coarse. was received
with rapture, aud was loudly emcored. 1t
was repeated, with variations, and the per.
former retired. He WAS followed by the
danSeuSe, who made tho most Of the small
stage, and who was also cncored. Next
'''''~ '''' -A'''N''Nf'i ItlINtlllAl, very StSUN,
very tall, and very impudcnt. lie sang
Jordon S hdr3 road 10 yaLbei, aud relr.
ed He WAS not cucorcd The curtain
went down; lager bier again flowed freely,
the tongues of the audience were again let
loose. and, rs before, riot was prevented
10y the ringing of the bell. The curtain
arose. and a curious spectacle met the gaze
OF the audience. Our first thoughts were
of the Spanish Iuqui>ition, and we fancied
we saw before us victim undergoing the
torture Upon the stage stood n man,
strapped TO harp; upon his back he car
red huge basS.drum, q drum stick was
fastened to his left elbow, his lips were ap.
Piled TO set Of Pandean pipes, which was
fastened securely under his chin; y trumpet
was attached 10 the harp. in convenient
position TO be used occasionally: a pair Of
cymbals were fastened between the knees
ot the performer; a small drum was placed
near the loot OF the harp, and was worked
some way or other, we know not how:
triangle was also worked in some mysteri-
ous manner, and, to crown all, he wore
upon his head n helmet Of bells, which
sounded whenever he moved. Silence
reIgned throughout the room. Expectation
was ot its height Suddenly the performer
screwed h' head around with fearful vio.
Ience; wild, unearthly sound came from
the pipes; with spasmodc movement Of
his whole body the drum was struck, the
harp was sounded the cymbals clashed, the
triangle struck, the kettle drum beaten, the
bells rnDg, and the room was filed with a
musical tempest, while the shrill sound Of
the Ffndeau pipes rang ont over sll with