The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-16
MUS E M EN- rs.

~
Central Park Garden-Opening Of ThoO-
dOro Thomas summer Season.
Perhaps the rush after postal cards is the only
recent pleasant public excitement to which the
attendance and excitement witnessed on the
opening OF Central Park Garden. and the reappear-
ance OF Mr. Theodore Thomas and his celebrated
band can be lty compared. The changes that
have been made In the hall and its adjacent
corridors are not important beyond the
Punishment OF the ornate mirrors, which
had the questionable advantage OF re-
mlnding one of q delunct ice cream saloon.
which had long since known its palmiest days.
Everything susceptible OF looking better beneath a
fresh coat OF paint had been thus recOmplexon
and variety Of plants were picturesquely disposed
in vases and slender festOons. The appropriate
ness OF letting well enough alone has seldom been
more elictously illustrated. This thin embroidery
or LEAKAGE. accumulated here and there with a
heavier aigrette of flowers set of the large room
lightly and alrily. and insinuated conviction OF
ponaerance Of looking glasses could do. II we
cannot have Summer here in reality, let US, by all
means aid imagination.
manner in which Mr. Thomas and his band inter
preted the programme. The average New York
cSange but New YORK Audience That is fond OF
music-and such was the character OF the audience
at Central Park Garden last night-desires no
more novelty than Mr.. Thomas gives 1t, and last
evening he certainly gave It nothing that can be
called absolutely new. There was French and
Italian and German music, and selections from
Auber and Weber and beethoven, contrasted with
melody from Schubert and the sparkling phrensy
Of Strauss. There were movements as rich as
the the b buttercups INFANT simplicity For Mr.:
Is composed OF instfamentaists who have worked
together long enough to coalesce with as much
perfection as the different proportions In tenn.
permanent. From the overture to "Masaniell0,"
with which the concert began, to the "March" by
Michaeis with which 1t ended, the orchestral in
There were no tantalizing fluctuations OF effort,
resulting In proficiency IN one number and medi-
ocrity in the next. The rich statellness and har-
monte treatment OF Weber, as evinced In the selec-
ton from "Precioso," received as adequate and con-
scientiOus expression as the eighth Symphony of
great composers symphonies, Is the exponent Of
his spiritual experience during the years he was
deprived Of that exquisite sense which ne lavished
his existence in gratifying In others. The CANA
rysn air, composed by Louis KILL, is very much
what might be expected to proceed from the In
so chaste in reputation that no scandal ever at
tached to the court ladies' who became his favOr-
ites yet so abnormal in the amours that ne did
have that even his accomplishments, like his taste
for musical composition for instance, were tinged
with bizarre sensuousness. The rendition of
this air was not among the shining successes OF the
evening" being greatly eclipsed by the overture to
civilian Tell and Strauss waltz, swine. Woman
These garden concerts have now obtained hold
which entitle them to rank as institutions. 1t Is
something to have within easy distance hand
some and respectable resort, where music, moon
shine and Moselle may be enjoyed simultaneously;
where we may applaud Martina" while we sip
"Lohenarn" and lemonade. Amid such surround.
ings even the business man finds himself mellow
ing into momentary romance, and we should
scarcely be amazed to hear that Mr.. Gosche him.
sell, overpowered by the lights, the music,
the Mowers and the Rudeshemer, sometimes
wishes that managing the financial department
OF garden concerts were compatible with his being
boy again. Some cynlc declares that all our joys
are somewhat like those shy creatures that. when
ever they are watched, roll themselves up into ball
appear to be the case with the joy Of garden con-
certs. Another cyhlc, this time poetical one, re-
For not IT., to man on earth r. Is given
Desire Of heaven itself is heaven,
Unless the passion faint and tire.
Evidently the passion for Thomas and his Summer
concerts has not yet tainted and grown tired,
though we cannot precisely think that the wish to
enjoy them Is quite tantameunt to the enjoyment
itself.
Musical nd Dramatic Notes.
On Saturday evening Terrace Garden Theatre,
on Third avenue and Fifty eighth street, will be
opened for Summer season Of operetta and light
comedy
There Is sad need OF reform in the management
OF the choirs OF some OF our leading churches. In
would be unworthy of the smallest concert hail.
Mr.. William A. Lilliendahl, the business manager
OF Woods Museum, takes his first benefit at that
establishment this afternoon and evening. Mr..
LilllendaAl has many friends who will turn out
en- nsasse to-day.
Mr.. eye, OF Covent Garden, has announced the
name OF Nine. Lucca as one of the attractions OF
his present season, although that lady has not the
slightest intention OF crossing the Atlantic this
Summer. She goes to Narragansett Pier on the
Goth.
Nine. Natalie Tesla, one OF the best contraltos
that ever appeared in opera at the Academy OF
Music, Is stopping for few days at the Fifth Ave-
nue. HOTEL Her fame some six years ago drew
many q crowded audience to the Irving place
opera House.
Mile. Louise Licbhardt has a benent at Steinway
Hall this evening, at which Rubinstein, Miss
Mehiig, Mile. Pauline Canissa, Mlle Drasdi M.
sauret and Mr.. Mlllard will appear The feature OF
the concert will be Schnmann's "Andanteu ana
variations for two pianos, which will be interpreted
by Rubinstein and Miss Mehlig.
This IL the benefit season for the artists and at
taches OF the theatres. Mr.. d. II. Harkins, stage
manager At the Union Square, takes his benent
this evening. Miss Fanny Davenport, OF the Fifth
Avenue Theatre, IA 10 play "Frou-Frou, Miss Ethel
being stlll too sick to appear.
The Board OF Education seems 10 have forgotten
entirely the question Of music In the public schools.
good, sound musician, who has proved himself
worthy Of foremost rank In art should be selected
as superintendent Of music and the results would
be highly beDcnciaI. ~ In a disgrace to the me-
tropois that. through the shortsghtedness OF
few persons, the children attending the public
schools should he left In complete ignorance OF the
divine art. AZ for the directed efforts OF en-
bryo music teachers, they do more harm than good.
There has been q friendly contest out West be-
tween the admirers OF Nine. Lucca and Miss Kel-
iogg. The latter was presented with valuable
set OF jewelry In ~. Louis, and few days after
the Germans OF Chicago decorated the "Klene
Pauline with q diamond cross. or course both
ladies' made nice little speeches. pressed the de-