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A Musical Hall in Brooklyn

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A MUSICAL HALL IN BROOKLYN.

At the late exhibition of the Horticultural Society, the Floral Promenade Concert, and exhibition of the pupils of the Polytechnic and the Packer Institutes, also on various other occasions, it has been proved that there is no hall in Brooklyn of sufficient capacity to accommodate the large audiences who resort to these exhibitions. The necessity has therefore been long felt that some means ought to be devised to meet these requirements, by procuring a large and commodious Hall which would answer all purposes. A few evenings since, the Brooklyn Harmonic Society held a meeting and resolved upon holding a grand musical festival, for the purpose of obtaining a fund to be appropriated toward the desired object. A number of the prominent citizens of Brooklyn have interested themselves in the matter, as also have the prominent Brooklyn societies, and the affair is likely to prove a success. The various singing societies of Brooklyn—Eastern and Western Districts—New York and Hoboken, numbering from 600 to 800 vocalists, will doubtless join in the enterprise.

So far as we understand the new musical movement, it seems to have for one of its objects the establishment of a better acquaintance, and closer communion among the various societies, that cannot fail to eventuate in a more satisfactory state of things than at present exists. Doubtless, when the musical associations are better acquainted, they will agree to act together when concerts are to be given for benevolent purposes. This festival, to take place on the 16th of September will be the initiatory. In it, as we are informed, will participate the Brooklyn Harmonic, the New York Harmonic, the Mendelsshon Union, the Williamsburgh Harmonic and Hoboken Harmonic. Other societies who are likely to take part in the performance are likewise invited.

Of course the net earnings of the proposed festival will not come near the sum necessary to build the Hall, but it is proposed to get up a popular subscription for the purpose, when the friends of the enterprise will have an opportunity of exercising their benevolence.

The proposed Festival will take place at the residence of a private gentleman, situated on the terminus of the Greenwood railroad, perfectly accessible by the cars and steamboats. A general committee, consisting of a hundred or more of the prominent citizens of Brooklyn, will be organized, among whom are J.A. Perry,1 W.C. Douglass,2 R.H. Huntley3 and many other gentlemen of standing in the community. From the General Committee special committees will be constituted on Finance, Music, &c. The orators on the occasion will include the names of Rev. H.W. Beecher,4 Rev. Dr. Vinton5 and others equally well-known. The musical entertainment will be conducted by Herr Anschutz6 of the Academy of Music.

We sincerely trust that the enterprise will prove successful. There can be no doubt that the object to which it is devoted is a good one and that such a Hall is much needed in this city. As we said very recently, all enterprises having in view the encouragement of a musical taste among our people, are worthy of the utmost encouragement and deserve the support of a discriminating public.


Notes:

1. J.A. Perry is an unidentified individual. [back]

2. W.C. Douglass is an unidentified individual. [back]

3. R.H. Huntley is an unidentified individual. [back]

4. Reverend Henry Ward Beecher (1813–1887) was a minister and social reformer who used his position in the church to advocate for anti-slavery. He is the brother of author Harriet Beecher Stowe. [back]

5. Justus H. Vinton (1806–1858) was a Baptist missionary. [back]

6. Karl Anschutz (1813–1870) was German musical director and composer. [back]

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