Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 118

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360

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Music Hall .- The next place of amusement thal ealls our attention was a minstrel hall, on the cortos of Fulton and Flatbush avenues. It was a large frame building, and was first altered into a theatre by Welch and Hughes in 1872. The place never was a Success In 1818, the building was taken down, and on the si has been erected a fine brick building, called " Mus Hall." This hall was first opened to the public in 1ss and is used for concerts and lectures.

1125

THE DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART.

The Olympic Theatre .- In 1859 the Elm 'lace Congregational Church, wishing to erect a larger difice in Elm place, where the Grand Opera House ow stands, leased a piece of ground, to the east of the Id Dutch Church burial-grounds, on the south side f Fulton avenue, between Hoyt street and Gallatin lace, and put thereon a brick building for their tem- orary accommodation, which they called Brooklyn Tabernacle. In it the Rev. William Oliver Bartlett reached for several years, until the removal of the con- regation, May 1st, 1864, to the former location, when le premises reverted to the owner, Mr. A. S. Wheeler. hey were then leased for five years to the county, as 1 Armory for the Fifty-Second Regiment. The regi- ent was disbanded before the termination of the ase. After this. it was occupied by the " Constitution lub," as a political wigwam. On May 1st, 1869, homas L. Donnelly, in conjunction with R. M. Hooley, tered into possession, and reconstructed the building to a theatre, which for many years was known as the lympic Theatre. In 1870 Mr. Hooley retired, and s place was filled for a short time by Edgar Dewell ; pon the withdrawal of the latter, Mr. Donnelly con- nued as sole lessee until May 1st, 1876. Mr. Charles nevalier, Pierce L. Jarvis, Daniel Hatfield and John Leese became the managers, January, 1879, when e theatre was again remodeled. At this time a ime house, which stood at the front of the theatre is now removed, and a spacious brick entrance to e theatre took its place. Shortly after this the emises were assigned to Richard Hyde and Louis C. hman. It then became the Standard Theatre, and is so retained till 1883, when it was again subleased John W. Holmes, as the Standard Museum.

The Grand Opera House .- The last new eatre, up to this present time, is situated on Elm jice, west side, south of Fulton avenue. It is erected « the site of the Congregational Church, which was (stroyed by fire in 1878. This theatre was first opened 1 the public in 1881. The first owners of the theatre 're Messrs. Barry Fay and Lewis, and from them iwas purchased by Messrs. Hyde and Behman. At tlie lesent time, it is under the management of Messrs. Jindles and Morris. The Grand Opera House, with the exception of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, will seat bre people than any other place of amusement in Jooklyn. The interior is pleasing to the sight, and is vll furnished with a good stock of scenery and every- ting that pertains to a well-provided stage. The Ilnagement is in excellent hands, and, as a place of a usement, has been a success from the start. It is run c the " star" principle.

The Novelty Theatre .- The first thcatre tit acquired any success in the Eastern District o Brooklyn, was the Novelty Theatre. This build-

ing was erected in 1852, by Messrs. Alfred and Henry Kemp, builders. It was called the "Odeon," and was intended for a ball-room and public meet- ings. At this time it was the largest public hall in Brooklyn or Williamsburgh. Messrs. Kemp subsequently failed, and the property was sold under foreclosure, and passed into the hands of several own- ers. After this a stage and some scenery was put into the back end of the hall, and it was conducted as a thea- tre by Alfred Theall, Samuel Lewis and others. At the time of the Rebellion, the building was used as a drill-room, etc. This, however, was before it was used for theatrical purposes. In 1868, the building passed into the hands of R. M. Hooley, who fitted it up as a variety theatre; but not a success, he sold the place in 1869. In 1870, it was sold under foreclosure again, and purchased by the present owners, Thomas F. Jackson, James Rodwell and Henry Waterman, who fitted up the building as a ball-room, and named the place Apollo Hall. In 1878, the building was entirely reconstructed, and converted into a theatre in every particular, named the "Novelty," and leased to Thomas Theall, who subsequently formed a copartnership with Henry Williams. The place is still under their man- agement, and is run as a star-theatre.

We liere close our history of the Drama in Brooklyn, having faithfully traced from the first known dramatic performance in Brooklyn, 1776, to 1883. We have been more particular in giving the details of the ear- liest dramatic performances in Brooklyn, since they il- lustrate the struggles of the drama to find a foothold in Brooklyn; and from the fact that every additional year makes it more difficult to secure the data for the his- torian to work from. At the present time, the city of Brooklyn has several daily newspapers that not only record every night's performances at the theatres, but also give a general criticism on the characteristics of the actors, and the manner the different plays are placed upon the stage. These papers will preserve and furnish in detail abundant matter for the future historian of the Drama and Music in Brooklyn.

The Drama is the most entertaining and instructive amusement the people can have. It has always flour- ished in the largest and most celebrated communities. The growth of its refinement did, and must always, keep pace with the advancement of civilization.

The dramatic art is a combination of all the sister arts-music, painting and poetry blended into one ; and the populous city that is without the charm and intelligence of the drama, is without the most needed nourishment of the human mind.

All that Brooklyn now requires to make complete her places of instructive amusement is a well-appointed theatre, with a first-class stock company, managed on the principles of Wallack's or the Union Square Thea- tre of New York.

THE PROGRESS OF MUSIC AND OPERA IN BROOKLYN.

T THE history of the progress of Music with the growth of any city or country is always interesting. It is a language of the soul, felt and understood by every class of linman beings; and, in accordance with the civilization of a people, so will it advance to a higher and a more scientific condition. In this respect, large cities have an advantage over the smaller ones, because they can better afford to support the best talent-thus offering an example and an incentive to musical cul- ture.

The first musical performances that were given in Brooklyn were at the time when the population was too small and too poor to encourage the best artists, by frequent exhibitions of the highest class of music. Therefore, the earliest encouragement that music re- ceived in Brooklyn was through the medinm of the church choirs.

1810 .- The first musical performance in Brooklyn, worthy of notice, was an " oratorio" given by the vestry of St. Ann's Church for the bene- fit of Mr. Pierson, the leader of its choir. On Thurs- day evening, October 4th, "a grand selection of sacred music, vocal and instrumental," was advertised to take place, but no mention was made as to who the perform- ers were. The price of admittance was fifty cents. Mr. Pierson was long and favorably known in New York and Brooklyn as a leader of church music. Another public musical entertainment followed at the same church on the 13th of May. After these there were no other public performances until

1813. when a concert was given for the benefit of the Loisian Seminary for the education of " forty poor female children." The performers were volunteers from New York City. Mr. S. P. Taylor presided at the organ. The public were admitted free, and a col- lection was taken up between the first and second parts of the programme.

The first concert given ontside of the church was at Mr. Stockoff's " Military Garden," spoken of elsewhere as " Green's Military Garden," and afterwards " Dnf- lon's." This concert was given by the Panharmonic Society of Brooklyn, on the 2d of December. This society was organized on the 1st of May, 1813. Mr. Taylor was its first president, and perhaps its last. The society gave three public performances, and then nothing more was heard of it. After this there was another long interval until

1819, when Mr. Cartwright, the celebrated per- former on " musical glasses," gave a concert on the 2tth of October, at Columbian Hotel, " tavern and tea garden," 137 Fulton street. Mr. Cartwright was an Englishman, who came to America in 1818. He was an exquisite performer, and attracted large audiences throughout the United States.

1823 .- Mr. Duflon fitted np a little stage at " Mili- tary Garden" (formerly known as Green's), and open- ed on the 14th of June, with a concert. Mr. Bristow acted as leader of the band.

1825 .- January 2Stlı, a "Grand Sacred Concert" was given at the First Presbyterian Church, for the benefit of the " holy canse of Grecian emancipation from bondage." It was under the direction of Mr. L. P. Cole, of New York ; Messrs. Dyer, Riley and Moran were among the singers. Selections from HIandel, Mozart and Beethoven were performed. All of the first named gentlemen were well known in New York as leaders of church music.

1829 .- The Sacred Music Society of Brooklyn, attached to the Cranberry Street Church, gare three public concerts at St. Ann's Church this season. The names of Mr. Taylor, Pearson, Coats, Miss Humbert, Miss Pearson and Mrs. Whelply were on the pro- gramme.

1830 .- Mr. Bristow gave two concerts for the be- nefit of the Appentices' Library. Mr. Bristow acted as conductor. On this occasion Mr. Solomon, of London appeared, assisted by Mr. B. Colby, Thornton and others. The Apprentices' Library stood on the corner of Cranberry and IIenry streets ; the building was o brick. The corner-stone was laid by General Lafayette on July 4th, 1825, while he was at that time on 1 second visit to this country.

1834 .- December 11th, a "Grand Oratorio" wa given at St. John's Church, for the benefit of the Sm day school, at which Miss Watson, Mrs. Franklin ant Mr. Trust were the principal artists. Both of th ladies mentioned were at the time prominent concert singers in New York.

1835 .- Mr. Trust gave a fine concert, at "Clas sical Hall," Washington street, January 16th. Ng Gambarti, the celebrated cornet-player, who had mad a great sensation in the city of New York, now per formed for the first time in Brooklyn. Mr. Kyle (flute

1127

THE PROGRESS OF MUSIC AND OPERA IN BROOKLYN.

Mr. Phillipson (piano), and Mrs. Franklin (soprano) filled up the programme. July 4th, Miss Watson, Sig. Montressor* and Mr. Trust (harpist) gave a concert at the same hall. This was one of the finest musical exhibitions that had ever been given in Brooklyn.

1837 .- Mr. Henry Russell, a fine tenor, gave a concert at Classical Hall, April 25th, on which occa- sion Mr. Edwint and Mr. Thomas Scott made their first appearance in Brooklyn. Both of these last named gentlemen were excellent artists.

In September of this year, a Sacred Music Associa- tion was formed for the " practice and performance of sacred music, and particularly of anthems and chants." Mr. Adrian Hegeman was elected president of the society ; and Mr. Joseph Sprague, 1st vice-president ; Cyrus P. Smith, 2d vice-president; H. B. Duryea, secretary ; P. T. Arcularius, treasurer ; and O. D. Burtis, librarian. The first performance of this so- ciety took place on the 6th of October, 1837, at the residence of H. B. Duryea, Esq., No. 10 Front street.

On Monday, December 4th, Madame Caradori Al- lent gave her first concert in Brooklyn, at the Ly- ceum.

1839 .- January 4th, Madame Otto, Mrs. Munson and U. G. Hill (violinist) appearcd at the Lyceum. May 9th, Mr. E. C. Horn, an excellent tenor singer, appeared for the benefit of the Apprentices' Library.

Mr. and Mrs. Seguin § made their first appearance at a concert in Brooklyn at the Lyceum. Both of these artists were great public favorites.

After the Seguins followed Henry Russell | with a concert at the Lyceum, assisted by Mr. Knight.

* Sig. CHARLES MONTRESSOR was an Italian, and an artist of splendid abili- ties. He made his first appearance on the American stage at the Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, June 23, 1833, in Italian opera.

t Mr. EDWIN made his dehnt on the stage at the Surrey Theatre, London, in 1834, and his first appearance in this country, November 19th, 1836, at the Park Theatre, New York. He afterwards became a great favorite at Mitchell's Olympic Theatre, N. Y. He was a fine actor, and had a heautiful tenor voice, which he managed with remarkable skill. He was horn in London, and died in New York, 1842.

# This lady made her first appearance in the United States at the Park Theatre, in 1833, as Rosini in "The Barber of Seville." She was an artist of fine ability, and for several years attracted great houses in all the principal cities in the United States. She took her farewell of the American stage at the Park Theatre, April 15th, 1848, and returned to Europe. She died in England, October 15th, 1865.

§ Mr. SEGUIN had a remarkable hass voice. He was born in London, April 7th, 1809. He was a member of the London Academy of Music, from which he retired in 1830. He made his first appearance on the London stage, July 3d, 1831. In 1838, he came to this country, and appeared for the first time in America October 18th, 1838, at the National Theatre, Church street, New York City. He died in New York, December 13th, 1852.

Mrs. SEGUIN's maiden name was Anu Child. She was born in London, and made her first appearance at a grand concert of the Philharmonic So- ciety of London. She was a member of the Italian Opera Company for over three years. She first appeared on the Americau stage, October 15th, 1838, at the National Theatre, New York. She traveled as a star through the United States, much admired as an artist, and much respected as a lady of cultivated manners.

|| Mr. RUSSELL was, at the time, the most prominent teuor singer this country had ever produced. He was born in Philadelphia, and made his début May the 17th, 1839, in opera, at the Chestuut Street Theatre, Philadel- phia, in the character of Elvino in "La Sonnambula." He visited Eng- and in 1844, and was complimented hy heing invited to sing hefore the Queen at Windsor Castle. He was the first American singer that met with marked attention and success in England.

1840 .- In January, Mr. E. Horn gave a concert at the Lyceum, introducing to a Brooklyn audience, for the first time, Madame Manncelli and Mr. Masset, both excellent artists. On March 3d, The Brooklyn Sacred Music Society gave a concert at the Presbyterian Church on the corner of Clinton and Fulton streets, and repeated the concert, with great success, on the 28th of April, at Rev. Dr. S. Hanson Cox's church in Cranberry street. In April, a new place for amuse- ment was opened on Columbia street, opposite to Pine- apple street, called " Colonnade Garden," and on August 6th, was presented the vaudeville of "The Lady and the Devil," in which Mrs. Charles and Mr. Graham did the singing.

At a concert of sacred music, December 30th, at the Lyceum, Mr. Braham,* the celebrated tenor singer, made his first appearance before a Brooklyn audience.

1841 .- Mr. Duflon, of the Military Garden, com- menced, on July 12th, to give concerts, " vocal and instrumental," at a shilling admittance. He must have met with considerable success, as they were continued until the latter part of September.

1842 .- Mr. Braham gave a farewell concert at the Lyceum, and had a crowded house.

1843 .- March 2d, the Mozart Association, a new organization, gave a concert at the Brooklyn Institute (Lyceum). Mr. Charles Holt was conductor. This year, Mr. Duflon retired from the management of Military Garden, and Mr. Isaac Burtis became lessee. He gave concerts through the season. Other concerts were given at the Institute, with the names of N. C. Hill and Mr. Timm on the bills.

1844 .- " The Hutchinson Family " appeared in Brooklyn this season, and gave several very successful concerts at the Institute. Monday, May 20th, Vieux Temps, the great violinist, assisted by his sister Fanny, an accomplished pianist, gave a concert at the In- stitute.

1845 .- The most noteworthy concert of this sea- son was given at the Institute, 14th of August. Mr. Templeton, t William Francis Brough, ¿ and Mr. Dempster, all fine artists, appeared for the first time in Brooklyn, and gave the public great satisfaction.

* Mr. BRAHAM was an artist of fine culture. He had a strong, clear tenor voice, and in London, for many years, he was the favorite ballad-singer. He was said to be the finest Harry Bertram, in the musical drama of "Guy Mannering," that ever walked the English stage. He performed this part with great success at the Park Theatre, New York, in 1840. He was born in London. He died in Englaud, February 17th, 1856.

+ Mr. TEMPLETON was horn in Scotland, and made his first appearance in this country as a tenor singer at concerts. His voice had great power aud sweetness; with a fine articulation He weut to England in 1832, and became a great favorite. He was a member of Drury Lane and Covent Gar- den Theatres. He returned to this country, aud gavo an iuteresting euter- tainment entitled "Nights with Burns and Walter Scott." A3 a ballad singer he had few equals.

# Mr. BROUGH, born at Wexford, Ireland, in 1798, appcared frst on the stage as a hass singer in Sussex, England, 1818, and was afterwards a fa- vorite at the Haymarket Theatre, London. Ho came to the United States iu

1128

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

1847 .- The most prominent concert given this year was at Gothiie Hall, for the benefit of the suffer- ing people of Ireland, at which Sig. Lesto Beneditti, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Beams, Mr. Bowland and Miss Julia Northall (daughter of Dr. Northall, the dramatist) ap- peared

1848 .- "The Hutehinson Family" gave several very successful concerts at the Institute. This troupe was at one time the most successful concert organiza- tion that ever traveled in the United States. Not so, however, from their possessing any extraordinary abili- ty, but simply that they sang old-fashioned songs, in costumes, and in a quaint and old-fashioned way.

December 21, Madame Anna Bishop,* wife of Sir Henry Bishop, the well-known composer (and who arranged the old Sicilian air to John Howard Payne's words of " Home, Sweet Home"), gave her first concert in Brooklyn, at "The Brooklyn Female Academy." The concert was made up of cavatinas and songs from the best composers.

The Brooklyn Sacred Music Society gave the "Ora- torio" of " The Seven Sleepers" at the " Female Acad- emy." The orchestra was composed of over one hundred performers ; Mr. J. Zundel was director.

There were no unnsual musical performances given in Brooklyn during the year 1849.

1850 .- February 18th, Mrs. Emma Gillingham Bostwick gave a concert at the Female Academy. This lady was for several years the leading voice in Grace Church, N. Y. The Hutchinsons returned to Brook- lyn this season, and performed to crowded honses for a whole week at Plymouth Church.

1835, and first appeared at the Park Theatre, September 4th, as Dandini. Ile met with great success, and was, for many years, the bass singer of the English opera troupe of Mr. and Mrs. Wood (Mrs. Wood was formerly the celebrated Miss Ann Paton), lle traveled with them through the I'nited States, and became a great favorite wherever he appeared. Ile had a rich, drep voice, and managed it with remarkable skilt. Brough was one of those whole sonled and kind-hearted men that carried sunsbine with him wber- ever he went. He was a most excellent actor, and was always greeted with a round of applause as soon as be appeared upon the stage. lle was over six fret high, of a fine figure, and had a genial face that at once drew you towards him and made yon his personal friend.

Mr Itrough was the author of several burlesques, one of which, " The Field of the Cloth of Gold," had a long run at Mitchell's Olymple Theatre, New York. At different periods, he was the agent and manager of Miss Maggio Mitchell, the Webb sisters, and the celebrated Mr and Mrs. Charles Kran, with whom he traveled throughout the United States during their last visit to this country. He was for a long time a resident and a property- owner In the city of Brooklyn. His health failing him, he undertook a trip to England, and died just as he arrived there, May Hat, 1867. His body was brought hark to this country in February, 1868, and buried in Greenwood lle had a very large and highly respectable funeral.

* Mus Ittanor made her debut in London, July 5th, 1839. In 1843, she trav- dled through Europe with success, and closed a brilliant engagement at Napden in 1845. She made her first appearance in this country at the Wal- unt Street Theatre, Philadelphia, In the opera " Norma," November 221. 1847. Sir Henry Bishop, her husband, died April 30th. 1855. In 1858, she mar- rried Martin Shultz. She went to Europe in 1x50, soon returned to the States, and has since aung In almost every linportant city or town on the globe. ller lant appe arance was in the spring of 1843, at a concert given to llarry B. Dod- worth, Stein way llall, & Y., January 30th. This lady, after a short illness of two days, died in the city of New York, March 18th, INst. Her remains were deposited at Red llook, N. J

1851 .- The celebrated Catherine Hayes* gave her first and only concert in Brooklyn, which took place at the Female Academy. Mr. Braham and Mr. Bassford assisted. Her selections were mostly from Donizetti and Wallace. The hall was packed, and the recipts amounted to over seven hundred dollars; tickets one dollar each.

Thursday, Nov. 4th, Madame Henrietta Sontagt gave a concert at Plymoth Church, assisted by Pozzolini, Carl Eckert, and other prominent artists. Her selec- tions were from Rossini, Schubert and Hayden.

* This remarkablo vocalist was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1×28. Bio- graphers have given her a place among the "queens of song." When she was only ten years old, her pure soprano volce and pathetle style of singing attracted the attention of the Right Rev. Edmund Knox, Bishop of Limerick. who happened to overhear her singing. He invited her to his house, and she at once became the star at the musical re-unions given by her patr n. She soon took up her residence in Dublin with her selected teacher, and made a successful appearance in this city in 1841. Lablache heard her, and predicted for her a great future. As soon as she heard Madame Grimt, she made up her mind to study for the opera, and at once commenced her studies with the great teacher Garcia. At the end of two years, he declared that he could not add another grace to her voice. On May 10th, 1545, she made her first appearance in the Opera House of Marseilles, as Elrira In " Puritani." She labored through the opera until she reached the latter part, when, as if by inspiration, she gained full confidence, and made a great success. She then appeared in "Lucia de Lammermoor," and other first- class operas. Three months after this, she made a great sensation In " La Somnambula," and even a greater triumph in the part of Ophelia in the piece of "Othello." Her conceptions of characters were strongly dramatic She was tall, of a fine figure, graceful and lady-like. She made her first ap- pearance in America, at Tripler Hall, N. Y., on Sept. 23d, 1851. After she left Brooklyn, she went through the States, thence to the Sandwich Islands, Anstralia, and back through England. ller success was beyond all prece- dent. Wbile in New York City, she married a Mr. Bushnell, who was acting as ber agent. She did not give up her maiden name until she returned to England. He soon died, while at Sydenham. She retired from the stage for a while, and died Angnst 11th, 1861. She was a lady of the most refined enlture and noble character, and was much beloved by all who knew her. She left a property of nearly one hundred thousand dollars, which was be- queathed In handsome legacies to ber relatives and friends.

t HENRIETTA SONTAG ranks among the finest artists of the lyric stage. She was born at Coblentz, May 13th, 1805. She was intended by her parents ter their own profession, and, when only six years old, she appeared on the stage at tho Court Theatre of Hesse Darmstadt, in an opera entitled " Donan Weibchen." Her prettiness and silver-toned volce made her a favorite at once with her andience. In her ninth year she lost her father, and im- mediately after, her mother took her to Prague, where she performed the parts of children, under the direction of the celebrated Weber. At Often years old, a sudden illness of the prima donna gave her the opportunity f taking the part of the Princese de Navarre, in the opera of " Jean de Paris." and being very small for her age, the little vocalist was furnished with he he four inches high, so when the prodigy appeared on cork pedestals the howuer was filled with acclamations, and she left the stage that night with & repu- tation which never faded. In 1834 she appeared In Leipzig, and male a brilliant success. Her volce was a pure soprano, reaching from A or llt D in alt. In her high octave from F to C in alt, her notes rang out like the sound of silver bells. ller inventions were displayed in brilliant flights and lavish fioriture. ller rare flexibility of volee waa a natural gift, hut fully cultivated by her taste and by incessant study and practice.

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Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 118

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : Munsell Number of Pages: 1360

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360