CHAPTER XXVI.SUMMER NIGHT CONCERTS.
M
“Musichath charms to soothe the savage breast,” said Shakespeare, and whether it does so or not it soothes the ruffled feelings of the thousands who attend the summer night concerts at the new First regiment armory on Michigan avenue near Sixteenth street. For the last ten years the summer night concerts in this city have been given under the direction of Theodore Thomas in the old exposition building, but with the demolition of that time-honored structure Thomas has retired from the summer musical arena, leaving his baton to be wielded by Max Bendix, who for several seasons played the first violin in the Thomas orchestra. The great exposition building, dirty and weather-beaten as it was, had charms for the thousands who congregated there. It is true that the occasional weird and unearthly shriek of a locomotive on the Lake Front interfered sadly with the witching harmonies of Schumann or Gounod and even drowned, at times, the ponderous volume of Wagnerian outbursts.But it was delightfully cool and refreshing to sit among the potted shrubs with which the great hall was dotted and drink in the seductive strains simultaneously with one’s Seipp or Bass and watch the never-ceasing procession of comely youths and airily clad maidens who passed to and fro.
The atmosphere surrounding the armory concerts this year is perhaps rather less democratic than that of the vanished exposition building, but the general effect is the same. The massiveness of the structure as viewed without heightens the pleasant impression received on stepping within. The polished floor is covered for the most part with long rows of neat chairs, but at each side of the big hall is a row of boxed fir-trees behind which are scattered the miniature tables at which light refreshments are served. Overhead are flags and bunting, while light is supplied by rows of big electric lamps depending from slender wires. Placed in niches at intervals along the walls are electric fans, the incessant whirling of which supplies a pleasant draught, almost a breeze, in fact, in the sultriest of weather.
As the hour arrives for the commencement of the concert the hall fills up. The stream of amusement-seekers contains all qualities of people, from the society belles of the adjacent avenuesand their escorts to the musically-inclined shop-girl from the West side, and the plump capitalist to the thrifty book-keeper or ribbon salesman. Music is the ostensible attraction for all, but it is quite as much to chat with their friends in quiet nooks and to see what the other girls are wearing that the prettily attired belles have made their appearance. And some of the costumes are veritable dreams. The warmth of the summer season affords every opportunity for the display of fetching feminine apparel, and Solomon in all his glory was never arrayed like some of the dames who patronize the summer night concerts.
The music itself is of the very best quality. Certain nights are devoted to certain music. There are two “request” nights, when the programs are made up from the numbers patrons have asked Director Bendix to play. There are “popular” nights, when the classical idea is pushed into the background for the nonce and the simplest of compositions, the comprehension of which does not involve the knitting of one’s brows and the tearing out of one’s hair by the roots, played. There are two “ball-room” nights, when the best style of dance music is played. Thus all tastes are catered to and all desires satisfied. He who hankers for classical music may attend on such nights as classicalmusic is given and stay away on others. Others may consult their tastes in the same way.
The general idea, that of supplying two hours of light entertainment each night through the hot weather season, is a most excellent one. The delicious strains discoursed by the fifty shilled musicians float through the air, sending the listener into dreamland, their soothing effect enhanced, possibly, by the magic effect of a mug of golden Bass and the clouds blown from a fragrant weed. And ever and always there is the procession of beauty, daintily clad, that pampers the eye and gives rein to pleasant imaginations. A garden of pretty girls in a setting of sweet sound—that is a good definition of the summer night concerts in Chicago.
The concerts at the armory are given under the direction of Mr. Anson Temple, the same active gentleman who manages the Schiller theatre on Randolph street.