The Republican journal., 1885-09-17

moving swiftly about with trays of wine and
The favorite absinthe, an ornamented kiosk
adorned with flowers under which the singers
perform-add to this a thoroughly French
crowd. consisting for the most part Of men
and you have your Partisan garden concert.
Most OF the performers are only third rate
singers, but occasionally star of greater mag
nltude appears who is generally discovered in
short time by some energetic manager and
better position is secured. Most of the vocal
lists are young girls and they are compelled to
be exceedingly particular regarding their per-
sOnal appearance, so that even the most modest
spectator can find nothing to critcise in their
costumes. The music is confined TO the popular
airs of the street, oftentimes containing Jokes
and illusions rather too suggestive. but happily
these are seldom appreciated or understood by
we Americans, and an evening at one of these
concertsis most delightful. Everybody smokes
and the price of admission is simply refresh
ment ticket.
In Germany at the famous beer gardens
where one can sit all day in the open air, the
music is entirely orchestral, and one drinks his
beer TO the enchanting strains of a Strauss
waltz OF some brilliant air from Otfenbach
Entire families come here and even the Young
est child has his schooner of beer, and although
gallons Of this favorite beverage are disposed
of every day yet everything is well ordered and
there is no appearance of lawessness.
Staid old Boston has made new departure
this summer in turning its Music Hail. whose
walls are hallowed by the associations of so
many years, into kind of Semi beer garden,
where for twenty-five cents YOU can have a
good seat in either balcony, or if YOU prefer
can ENJOY your cigar and glass of beer on the
floor which is transformed into summer gar
den with musical trickling fountain in the
centre and trees and potted plants nleTspersel
at intervals. These concerts at first Were called
promenade concerts, but the name has degener-
ated into smoking concerts, and indeed the
name is well applied. Mr. Ad. Neuendorfl, the
popular conductor, began these entertainments
in May, and they were given one afternoon and
two evenings in each week, the programmes
being modelled after the famous Bilse concerts
in Berlin. AS the season advanced the concerts
were so well patronzed that they were given
nightly and they have formed one of the great
est Of the summer attractions. For those re-
maining in the city, such pleasant, informal
way of passing an evening has been highly APP
pIeciated and there has been no lack of gay
sparkling music. Wednesday and Saturday
evenings have been devoted almost wholly to
some popular composer, and Strauss and Mil
locker night. have drawn the largest crowds.
The orchestra, consisting of perhaps sixty men,
is in perfect sympathy with its energetic lead
er. who is an inspiration in himself. Mr.. Neu-
endorff is the husband of Georgine Janus
chowsky, great favorite with Bostonians in
light opera and he is to have sole management
of the Bijou Theatre this season. Much credit
is due him for the brilliant success of these
concerts, and It'll to be hoped they will continue
another year. They close the Sd of October
and the hall will then be devoted to more class
ic uses. NJ