That
first concert was held at the Apollo Rooms in what is now TriBeCa, in
lower Manhattan. Guests had to pay 83 cents apiece. Now, we all “get”
that 83 cents used to buy a lot more in those days—it won't even
get you a bottle of water or can of soda, most places, these
days!—but surely even then it was an awkward sum to have charged. I
guess 3 quarters, one nickel, and three pennies would do it...but why
not 80 or 85 cents??!
The
musicians wore formal wear and white gloves and greeted the 600
guests as they entered the room. When the music began, all the
musicians remained standing as they played, except the cellists. That
was the fashion then. It
was, perhaps, grueling to play for THREE HOURS while standing!
First
on the concert program was a work that was new to most of the
listeners: Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. The orchestra also played
chamber music and several operatic pieces—with a vocalist, of
course.
One
thing that is interesting about this first concert is that the
musicians voted on which pieces they would play and who would
conduct. The orchestra members also voted when new musicians wished
to join. At the end of the season, all the musicians would divide any
proceeds (profits) among themselves.
(I'm
pretty sure the NY Philharmonic doesn't operate in such a democratic
fashion any more!)
Also
on this date:
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