The Washington herald., 1920-11-14
LDCONCERT
TALES RETOLD
President Grant and Others
Entertained in 1870 at Per-
formance of Martha.

In response to numerous requests
for a continuation of the several ar
ticles detailing the musical activi-
ties of this city a half century and
more ago and published on the
music pages of the Sunday Herald.
additional accounts will appear as
often as space will permit.
One Of the most important con-
certs given in Washington in the
SOS was that presented for the BEN
EFT OF Metropolitan N. Z. Church at
Four-and-a-half and C streets north
west on February 3, 1859. This event
had for its talent George w. Wal
ter. OF Trinity Parish. New York;
J. Tabler. George A. Dalton, Prof. II.
s. whiteman, of Philadelphia; Mrs.
J. c. Tasker, Mrs. Gen. Duncan. Col.
H. Seligson, Mr.. B. F. Clark. the
Misses Burley, Whiteman and Dali
ton. Prof. Carl Richter, F. A. Chase
and the Misses Lizzie and Jennie
Daniel. c. Burlew was the conduc-
tor and A. P. Tasker the pianist.
On January 22, 1870, an invita-
tion concert was given by the
Choral Society at Lincoln Hall.
Those participating were George
Felix Benkert, pianist; Mrs. Droop.
soprano; +. A. Chase, bass; H. c.
Sherman. pianist: Beethoven Octette
Club, and Madam c. Y. Kretchmar,
soprano soloist. The musical direc-
tor was Henry c. Sherman.
The Choral Society also presented
concert at Metezrott Hall on No
vember 2, 1870. The program In
cluded H. c. Sherman and F. Kroell
in two piano selections; Mrs. E
Droop, in soprano solos and F. A
Chase. bass soloist
December Is, 1870 saw the pres.
entation of Martha" by amateurs
II one may be permitted to Judge
from the amount of space devoted
to its review by the newspapers Il
was a performance of tremendou.
Importance to this city. The opers
was given at Walls Opera Hous,
and had in the cast Mrs. Camp
Lady Harriet" Miss Ada Randall
Nancy; Mr.. S. II. wittherow, Lilo
nel";; Mr.. Samuel ]. Young, Plum
ikett"; E. ]. Harrington. Tristan
Mr.. E. w. Hill. Sheriff" and Herr
Adolph Birgfeld. director.
The production was done by /;
lot of ladies and gentlemen belong
ing to the best society Of Washing
ton" In this distinguished compan!
were Annie (Nannie) Davis, Maggi,
Wilson, Stella johnson. Annie Story
Kate Quail, Eva Mills. Kate McIn
tyre. Kate Uppermann. the Misse
NToL(a1I
Helen Parish, together with Messrs
Frank Howe. George Fletcher. H. c
Pearson, A. A. Miller. D. s. Wood
IChas. Helm, J. p. Scott, G. A. Mer
Ger. G. N. French. E. P. Massey
Thomas Janvier. John Woodwork
s. E. Middleton and G. johnson.
The best people were of the audi
lence-the quiet stay-at-home folk
who never go anywhere, and lool
upon theatricals as so many inven
tions of the devil-were presen,
The seats appeared under doubl.
Occupation, and no room was lef
flor extraneous bodies to inser
themselves. President Grant locke
lon benignly from his box, an
seemed to take a vast deal of com
fort in the anticipation of the trea
in store for him.
Everything was arranged with
view to harmony. Detectives Clar
voc, Coomes. Miller, Bigler and Nc
Dewitt. with a detail of policemen
were on hand to discover and frus
trate the operations of any light
fingered Gentry who happened t
find their way near the distinguish
gathering. Of course. dandies, wit
ties and gloves of immacular
purity, low cut vests and claw-ham
liner coats. were on hand and fringe
1.-THE gutter until all the gels yo
know had entered. OF course, be
tween the acts thirsty throats ha
to be refreshed. and the adjacer
restaurant drove a successful trade
1t was reported that $1,000 ne
was derived from this entertain
ment, which was to be applied to tn
TREASURES of Trinity and Epiphan
churches.