Scan 236
The American history and encyclopedia of music, 1908
23 lines. Read by computer on 11 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1in concerted vocal music and this side of the musical art also was brought forward. It was the concerts at which such performances were given that led to the production of oratorio.
3One of the first important concerts given in America in which the chorus had a prominent part took place in Philadelphia on April 10, 1765. This performance marks an epoch in the evolution of music in this country. A part of the announcement reads as follows:
5"College of Philadelphia, April 4, 1765.
6"For the benefit of the Boys' and Girls' Charity School.
7"On Wednesday evening next there will be a performance of Solemn Music, vocal and instrumental, in the College Hall, under the direction of Mr. Bremner. The vocal Parts chiefly by young Gentlemen educated in this Seminary, and the Words suited to the Place and Occasion, being paraphrased from the Prophets, and other Places of Scripture, upon the Plan of the musical performances in Cathedrals, etc., for public charities in England.
8"The Chorus and other sublime Passages of the Music will be accompanied by the Organ, and the Intervals filled up with a few Orations by some of the Students."
10In a report of the affair the Pennsylvania Gazette of April 18, 1765, states: "The whole was conducted with great Order and Decorum, to the Satisfaction of a polite and numerous Audience." The program was as follows:
12ORATION
13ACT I
14Overture ………………………. Stamitz
15Air. Prov. III, from ver. 13 to 17, and IV, &
17ORATION
18ACT II
19Solo, on the Violin
20Overture ………………………. Earl of Kelly
21Air. Isaiah LV, 1, 2. John VII, 12.
22Second Overture ………………………. Martini
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