The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-01
.NR. NJ IS AND HIS MI SIC.
Opening OF His Season OF Summer Concerts
At Madison square Garden.

John s. Duss began his series of slim
mer concerts at Madison Square Garden
last night and the town went tn see what
he had to offer IT, The old Garden. which
has been everything from a bicycle track
to ,hree-ring circus, was translated as
thoroughly as Old Nick Bottom himself
Al the Fourth avenue end was wide scenic
prospect of Venice, with moonlight on the
canal and floating clouds in the sky. just
in front of all, in the middle Of the square
was the orchestra, hanked by tall white
columns twined with garlands of blue
lights In front of the orchestra was Mr.
Duss. In front Of Mr.. Duss were his hands
and twined around these we're garlands az
pure white cuffs. When the cuffs went up
and down, drew triauglos. made cir
cular flashes against the moonlight Venice.
the effect was worth going miles to see.
Behind Mr. Dnss was the mass Of the
audience. the elcct sitting in reserved seats
on an island in the centra OF the Garden.
canal, like old Ocean in he Greek shield,
was poured all around that island and on
tina, canal gracefully foated two gon-
doas propelled BY industrious gondpliers,
who sang no harcarolles. but who rolled
their barls Just the same. People who
entered the Garden at the Madison avenue
end had to climb over high bridge to
reach the seats on the island
All around the outer shore Of the canal
ran a promenade backed by seats on
raised platform. and behind these were tho
galleries. Ornamental columns supported
red lanierns and electric fans. The roof
was hidden behind festoons Of blue bunt-
ing. decorated with arched rows Of electric
lights. The total effect was admirable.
The Garden really looked airy, inviting
and picturesque. Tonight the seats on
the island and on the promenade outside
Of it will be removed and tables with easy
chairs will take their. places, Fleet
gramme, will serve refreshments. There
will he many worse places to go than
Madison Square Garden.
OF course no one wishes TO take the
music very seriously. No one ever does
lin the good old summer time Mr., Duss
may. but that is a different story. Last
Quoting the civilian Tell overture amid
the tramping Of many feet, which sounded
like the roaring Of the sea on Brighton
sandy beach in the memorable days OF
Seidl,.
Mr.. D,iss ought to be glad that anything
in his concert sounded like the Gays. OF
Seidl. The overture was very good. what
enough Of it. such as it was The tr'lrnpets
and the trombones came out well and the
audience cheered bravely Mr.. Duss i'm
mediately played an encore.
After the allegretto movement Of Tschai-
kowskys sixth symphony, Edouard Gle
Raszke climbed over The bridge acrors the
canal and walked all the way down the
centre aisle to the stage There he pro-
ceeccd TO sing "Les Rnmeaux' in brief
phrases but with plenty of big sound.
He was not down for anything Gle on the
programme but really the title Of his act
should have been Ten Minutes with I'd
Guard de Reszke," for without leaving the
stage he handed out to the audience in
rapid succession the sere made from Berliozs
"Damnation OF Faust" and Tschaikowsky's
"Serenade OF Don Juan.
After Mr.. Duss had conducted some
more there was an intermission. and then
a great craning OF necks to find Nine.
She was sculled out to the island in a gon-
clola, and reaching the platform sang tho
aInflammatus" from Rossinis "Stabat
Mater" with chorus. while Mr. Duss stood
on a table behind her and circulated his
cuffs. II was so inspiring that the audience
simply shouted for more. and Nine. Nordica
proceeded to sing the "Star Spangled
Banner
That is about the sort Of enterto inment
il was. No one should labor under the
cielision that the Garden il a first -class
place in which to listen to an orchestra,
for acoustics, canals bunting, electric
fans and promenades on bare hoors do not
usually travel in company. But il is
splendid place TO see Mr.. Duss wave his
cuffs and cut fancy figures in the air when
he il cndeavoring to wake the energies
OF his trombones and trumpets,