website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Concordia Opera House
117 N.
First Street
1859
-- -- BEGINNING
HEYDAY OF OLD CONCORDIA SOCIETY TOLD IN
ARTICLE
A sketch
of the Concordia Musical Society, one of the city’s most famous musical
organizations of generations ago, is contained in a reprint from the October 6,
1890, issue of “Der Seebote,”
a Milwaukee publication. The article was
written by the late Emil E. Gaebler
and was part of his memoirs which the paper printed.
Part
of the article is being reprinted here.
It follows:
At the
time Emil C. Gaebler came to Watertown, in 1859,
there was an established musical society here, called the Music and Singing
Society and when Gaebler organized a new society,
called Philharmonic, there was an effort to combine the two. The two finally joined but the passive
members tried to run it and after six months the active members seceded and formed their own society in July, 1862, called
the Concordia.
Emil Gaebler had organized a musical society
in 1852 at Danbury, Conn., and was familiar with the management of the
Northeastern Singers league of New York.
He, therefore, organized the Northwest league shortly after he came to
Wisconsin and to this league the Concordia gave its support, so actively, that
at the first saengerfest
held in La Crosse in 1866 Watertown won the first prize, a silver loving cup,
now on display in the historical museum in Madison.
Thereafter
the following saengerfests (conventions or music
festivals) were held: Watertown, 1867; Milwaukee,
1868; Madison, 1869; La Crosse, 1871; Dubuque, 1873; Watertown, 1875; Freeport,
1877; Milwaukee, 1879; Madison, 1881; La Crosse; 1883; Watertown, 1885;
Freeport, 1887; Minneapolis, 1889; Milwaukee 1891; Dubuque, 1896. There was also a band convention in Watertown
in 1879.
As early as 1885 interest began to lag and
young people turned to amusements rather than to music. In its “floruit” the Concordia undertook many
projects besides regular concerts and opera performances in Watertown. The old music hall on North Second Street
burned to the ground and a new opera house was built at a cost of $11,872 of
which $2,158 was raised by the women members or auxiliary of the
organization. The Concordia Society also
purchased the Tivoli island, planted trees on
it, built a pavilion, and painted it themselves. In 1879 an octagon band stand was built on
the island, forty feet in diameter and was first used
for the band convention for which occasion Mr. Sleeper was director and Mr. Mulberger, field marshal.
Many concerts and picnics were held on the island, a windmill supplied
water power for the large fountain, a garden, and a fine bowling alley helped
make this a very popular place.
A
large collection of manuscript music, opera scores, and instrumental numbers
are to this day reposing in one of our local stores
waiting for the day when Watertown will again take an interest in local amateur
musical activities. WDT 05
20 1935
1862
MAX GAEBLER
Concordia
Society formed in 1862 under direction of Max Gaebler. Gaebler served for many years served
as musical director of the Concordia Musical Society.
John Keck also
helped to organize the Concordia Society.
Frederich Misegades was charter
member
1874
PURCHASED AND NAMED CONCORDIA ISLAND
In
1874 a German singing group, the Concordia Music Society, purchased and named Concordia Island.
The society had been formed in 1862 under direction
of Mr. Gaebler.
Concordia Island served as a host to many saengerfests, music festivals in which most of the
singing organizations of the state would take part. Local citizens held picnics and heard
frequent band concerts on Concordia Island.
Unions, clubs, and trade guilds from throughout the state rented the
island for annual gatherings.
Concordia
members landscaped the island, planting many trees and shrubs of various
varieties, some of which are mature trees today. Members constructed numerous buildings
including a beautiful central pavilion.
The island was graced with one of the first fountains in this area. Located in front of the pavilion, it sent
sprays of water splashing into a circular basin in the center of which stood an
ornamental statue. A secluded water tank
kept the fountain at play, while a windmill pumped water into the giant
container. It also had a circular
bandstand with beer, candy and ice cream sales on ground
level and quarters for musicians on the second floor.
06 20 La
CROSSE SAENGERFEST
The members of the
Concordia Society who were in attendance at the
Saengerfest at La Crosse returned Monday night, and all are loud in praise of
the delightful time they spent. Our
delegation upon their arrival at La Crosse Thursday evening, received a
splendid reception from their brethren and were welcomed in a fine speech by
Dr. X Otilie, which was happily responded to by
Constance Wiggenhorn. At the concert in
the Germania Hall Friday evening the Watertown delegation presented the former
director of the Concordia Society, Prof. E. C. Gaebler, now residing at La Crosse, with a beautiful
lyre composed of the choicest and most delicate flowers, which was a complete
as well as a happy surprise to the recipient.
J. B. May performed the task presenting the
testimonial in a graceful manner. The
Saengerfest is pronounced a fine success and all came home highly pleased with
La Crosse and her hospitable people. WR
1883
-- -- CONCORDIA MUSIC SOCIETY MEMBERS (SÄNGERVEREIN)
1886
05 21 ESTIMATE
FOR BUILDING New Opera House
Wm. Waters, architect
of Oshkosh, was in the city last Monday and made an estimate for building the
new Opera House for the Concordia Society, figuring it at $11,000. The society
instructed him to draw a plan of the building, which he will have ready in
about a week. The new building will be a
two story brick with basement. The gallery will be fitted
up with 277 opera chairs, and the main hall with about 300 perforated
seat chairs. In the basement there will
be a bar room and a double bowling alley.
The money for building will be raised by issuing 4 per cent bonds
payable in 5 years. WG
1887
08 04 CONSTRUCTION
TO BEGIN
The Concordia Society has
completed arrangements for the erection of a $10,000 opera house on their lot
opposite the City Hall on North First Street, and the work will be commenced in a few days. The necessary amount has been subscribed, and
the only delay now is to decide on the style of building. The opera house will be 50 by 88 feet, two
stories high, and basement. The hall
proper will be on the 1st floor, with the second for gallery purposes. Every enterprise of this kind adds to the
welfare of a city and in their efforts to erect such a building here, the
members of this society deserve the best of
encouragement from the residents of this city. Any assistance that can be rendered by our
people should be given cheerfully. It is
a work that deserves it.
1888 CONSTRUCTION OF,
Concordia Opera House
Opera House was
constructed in 1888.
Occupied
since December of 1916 by the Watertown Elks
Lodge.
03 09 DROP CURTAIN AND SCENERY
The ladies of the
Concordia Society have ordered an elegant drop curtain and scenery of Sosman
& Landis, Chicago, for the new opera house and will present the same to the society. The cost
of these articles is $800. WG
01 08 NEW YEAR’S DAY BALL
New Year's Day was
dull, gloomy and unseasonable in all respects. There was no evidence that we had entered
winter; not a vestige of snow to be seen, nor scarcely a crust of ice anywhere
in sight. Instead of sleighing, we had
wheeling and slush and mire. Most of the
stores paid homage to the day by closing in the afternoon. In the evening the Concordia Society gave a
ball at the Opera House, and the dancing was enjoyed by a
large number of ladies and gentlemen.
02 26 SIGHT TO BEHOLD
A sight not often beheld presented itself at the Odd Fellows' dancing party at
Concordia Opera House Saturday evening.
In two sets of quadrilles on the floor at one time were four sisters
dancing in each set. WG
06 26 LOCATION FOR GRADUATION CLASS
EVENT
09 12 McGIBENY FAMILY ENTERTAINS
Concordia Opera House
was packed to suffocation Tuesday evening with one of the most select audiences
that have gathered in Watertown for many a day, to listen to the entertainment
given by the famous McGibeny family. The
audience was highly entertained from the rise to the fall of the curtain, and
it was with regret that they took their departure, only wishing that the
entertainment would last longer. WG
10 08 KINDLY REMOVE YOUR HAT
At the performance of "The Kindergarden"
at Concordia Opera house, Monday evening, three misses from the West side set
an example which it would be well for some of the older habitues of such places
to imitate. At the commencement of the entertainment they removed their hats, giving persons behind them a free and unobstructed view of the
stage. The headgear worn by many ladies
at concerts and theatres may always be ornamental, and as a rule useful, but if
the wearers only knew what a nuisance it becomes to spectators whose view is
cut off by it, there would be fewer large hats worn on such occasions, or else
they would be lain aside after the fashion of the sensible and independent
maidens from the West side, whose graceful act suggested this item. WR
10 17 DANCING SCHOOL TO BE
CONDUCTED
The ladies of the
Concordia society have made arrangements with Paul Thom to conduct a dancing school at the opera
house. Those desiring to attend are
requested to report at once so as to take advantage of
a full term of instruction. Following
are the terms: Friday evening sessions 8
to 10 o'clock, $3 per term for twelve lessons; Saturday afternoon sessions, 4
to 6 o'clock, $2 per term for twelve lessons.
The first lesson will be given this week
Friday. WG
1891
01 14 DANCING CLASS SOCIABLE
A rather unique and pleasing affair took place last Friday evening at
Concordia Opera house, being the sociable of the Saturday afternoon dancing
class under the auspices of the ladies of the Concordia society and the
instructor, Paul Thom. The class is composed
wholly of children ranging in age from 5 to 15 years, and it was really an
interesting and novel sight to watch them go through the figures of the
different dances. The young folks had
possession of the floor until 10 o'clock, after which a general hop was
indulged in by the large company present.
WR
03 04 GOTTSCHALK'S LECTURES
Rev. F. Gottschalk's lectures Thursday, Friday
and Saturday evenings of last week upon Rome, Palestine and Egypt, at Concordia
Opera house, were not largely attended.
The lecturer rather failed in descriptive powers, but the views
presented were such fine and striking illustrations of the buildings and
scenery that one could well imagine himself among the ruins of Rome, traversing
the streets of Jerusalem and Alexandria, or in the shadow of the great
pyramids. WR
04 03 "THE ROSE OF
CASTILLE”
The famous Abbie Carrington, supported by a corpse (sic) of excellent
artists. enroute to California, will appear at the Concordia opera house Friday
evening, April 10th, in "The Rose of Castille." It is not necessary to publish the high praises this opera company received wherever they performed, but suffice it to say that their performance is
worthy in every respect of a crowded house, and we can conscientiously warrant
its superiority. The prices of admission
will be made as low as possible. WG
04 15 "THE ROSE OF CASTILLE” RENDERED
Balse's romantic grand opera comique "The Rose of Castile”, was
rendered at Concordia Opera house by the Abbie Carrington company Friday evening. As has been too often the rule here the size of audience fell much short of what the merits
of the performance deserved and demanded.
It is no exaggeration to say that no finer entertainment of any kind was
ever given in Watertown. During the
entire piece there was not a single break nor jar, everything being rendered
with harmonizing effect. . . . WR
04 17 CARRINGTON CONCERT DELAYED
The delay at the Carrington concert last Friday evening was occasioned by the pianist refusing to play unless the piano
was placed on the stage. This would have required a good portion of the
audience to leave their seats in order to place
planking in the house on which to slide the piano up on the stage. This the management of the opera house refused to do, not wanting
to inconvenience patrons of the house. The manager of the opera house offered
to place the piano on the stage in the afternoon to have it there for the
evening performance, but the manager of the Carrington company said it would
not be necessary, hence the dispute in the evening and delay of the performance
was brought about through no fault of the management of the opera house. The
pianist was induced to go on with his part of the performance only by being
reminded by Mme. Carrington that his salary would cease in the morning unless
he went on with the music at once.
WG
c.1893
Note scoreboard in background, return shoot is filled with sawdust
1894
01 02 ANNUAL
NEW YEAR'S BALL
The annual New Year's balls of the Concordia Society have long been noted
as elaborate social affairs in dancing circles, and this year's event, which
took place Monday night at the opera house, far eclipsed all previous
efforts. A more brilliant or enjoyable
function is seldom experienced here.
Dances commenced at 9 o’clock and was of several hours' duration, a
varied program of choice numbers being enjoyed during the while. A large number of
handsome new gowns were displayed by the young ladies, and it was the general
opinion that Watertown's sex was never more charming or becomingly beautiful
than at this time. WR
12 05 ANNUAL
THANKSGIVING BALL
The annual Thanksgiving Ball of the Concordia Society was held Thursday
night at the Opera House. The
attendance, while not large, was select, and the pleasures of the dance,
enhanced by the excellent music of Hardege’s Orchestra, was zealously entered
into. At midnight luncheon was
served in the lower hall. WR
1895
01 02 NEW YEAR’S BALL
Once a year there is
recorded in the social archives of Watertown an occasion that is anticipated
with exceptional interest by the dancing set, it being the annual New Year's
ball of the Concordia. Legend is that
society is at its best, the ladies resplendent in new gowns and the gentlemen
vying with each other for gallantry
Last evening was the date of
this year's event, and the [Concordia] Opera house, between the hours of 10 and
12 o'clock, when the festivities were at their height, were
the scene of an unusually brilliant and pretty spectacle. The dancing floor
was completely filled, while from the balcony a
considerable number of interested onlookers passed judgment on the affair. Many of the costumes, especially on the young
ladies, were particular creations for the evening and
of an elaborately beautiful nature that conveyed dreams of perfection regarding
the dressmaker's arts’. . . a delightful program was danced, inspiring music
being provided by the Hardege orchestra and Paul Thom guiding the merry
"trippers" through the figures of the square numbers. Luncheon was served in the lower hall during
the evening. WR
03 15 "THE CREATION"
The first full joint
rehearsal of the Choral Union and the Concordia Society on "The
Creation" will take place on Friday evening of this week, under the
direction of D. F. Stillman. For general
information, we will state that Bach's full orchestra, twenty
men, of Milwaukee, has been engaged for the production, with Mr. Bach as
concert master. This will no doubt be
the most complete orchestra ever heard here.
Applications for seats from out-of- town have already been received,
although tickets have not yet been issued.
They will be ready next week. WG
03 20 The prices of seats at Turner Opera House for
the production of "The Creation" on Easter Monday evening are
as follows: Body of parquette, reserved,
$1; general admission, sides of parquette, not reserved, 75 cents; rear of
balcony and front row or sides of balcony, reserved, $1; balance of balcony,
not reserved, 50 cents. Tickets have
been issued and can be obtained from members of the Choral union. Time and place of exhibiting the reserved
seats diagram will be announced later.
The first joint rehearsal of the
Choral Union and the Concordia Society on the work, last Friday evening, was
largely attended and very satisfactory as to results. Some eighty singers were present. WR
06 12 FINAL CONCERT OF THE SEASON
The Concordia Musical
Society's final concert of the 1894-95 season occurred at the opera house last
Wednesday evening, under the direction of William Forane. The program was an elaborate one and
furnished an evening of pure musical delight, all the numbers being given with
a finish and beauty unmistakably marked the concert as an artistic
success. The attendance, however, was
not nearly what was deserved. WR
11 06 YOUNG
MEN BOWLING CONTEST
John Molzahn has another
frog display this week. It depicts the recent
Concordia Young Men bowling contest, several
incidents being caricatured in a manner that is amusing to knowing ones. But if John persists in libeling his friends
by representing them as common, bloated bull-frogs, he
may look for no end of trouble. WDT
1896
06 20 OFF TO
THE SAENGERFEST (Dubuque, IA)
The Musical Society Concordia
leaves tomorrow morning about 10:30 on a special train over the St. Paul Road
for Dubuque, la., to attend the biennial Saengerfest
of the Northwestern Saengerfest, in session from the 23d to the 26th,
inclusive. The train will also carry the
Milwaukee, Waukesha and Oconomowoc societies. The route is via Madison and Prairie du
Chien.
A fine appearance will
be presented by the Concordias, in their natty suits of blue sack coats, gray
trousers and linen tourist hats, and that they will acquit themselves
creditably in the concerts is assured by the careful and rigid training they
have undergone.
The society, as it will
appear at the Saengerfest, is made up as follows:
First tenors—Edw. L.
Schempf, Alfred Baumann, Fred W. Lehmann, Jacob Weber
and Gus Buchheit.
Second tenors —Fred
Vullmahn, Carl Manz, Wm. Sproesser, Adolph Hilgendorf and Max Wegemann.
First basses —Gus
Exner, Fred G. Keck, C. R. Blumenfeld, Oscar E. Meyer, Eugene Wiggenhorn and
Arthur Wiggenhorn.
Second basses —M. H.
Gaebler, C. J. Wenck, Oscar Wertheimer, C. H. Jacobi, J. W.
Wiggenhorn, Henry Daub, Wm. T. Dervin, Frank Petro, Otto Waltz
and Edward Jantzen.
Director —William
Forane.
Librarian —Carl
Schwendke. Watertown Republican, July 22, 1896
1898
01 26 ANNUAL
"OLD FOLKS" BALL
Watertown's married contingent had an opportunity enjoy a dance all by themselves
last Friday evening, unrestricted by the whims and fancies of the younger
dancing set, and it is said that everybody present embraced those desirable
conditions and experienced an evening of unalloyed pleasure. The occasion was the annual "old folks"
ball arranged by the Concordia Society and the opera house was scarcely
commodious enough for all who desired to participate in the giddy mazes. Dancing was begun at 9 o’clock and it was not
until the proverbial “wee small hours” that the last gay couple wended its
weary way homeward. Sergel’s Orchestra
was in attendance and at midnight the ladies of the society served an
appetizing repast in the lower hall. The
program to a large extent was composed of the old-time dances that were wont to
make glad the hearts of the participants in the days of long ago. WR
1899
Lewis Monument dedication participant
04 05 CONCERT FEATURED MRS. FELD
The concert
Monday evening at Concordia Opera House given under the auspices of the
Concordia Society, was one of the most remarkable musical entertainments ever
given in our city. And with such
distinguished and accomplished artists as Messrs. B. Steindel, E. Bare, J. G. Beyer
and Mrs. C. R. Feld, how could it be otherwise? . . . Mrs. Feld enchanted the audience with
her charming vocalization of “One Spring Morning,” which necessitated a
response to an encore. Mr. Beyer, the
tenor, rendered two waltz songs, which were well received . . . Mrs. Feld is
especially to be congratulated on the great success scored by her. Her stage presence was a perfect picture of
composure, and her beautiful voice, while not of a strong or robust character,
is as musical and enchanting as is that of the sweet
bird warbler. Her work at the piano in
the trios was also a marvel of correct and exquisite finish, and greatly
delighted her audience with its superior excellence. When it is taken into consideration that Mrs.
Feld sung two numbers, took part in two trios, one in German and one in
English, and responded to an encore in the second number, besides her work at
the piano, it will be seen that her labors were necessarily severe and
exacting. Our music-loving people are
also under obligations to this lady for securing the talented gentlemen,
Messrs. Steindel, Bare and Beyer. WR
06 20 PICNIC, COMMENCEMENT, ALUMNI BANQUET
The annual picnic of
our public schools will be held next Friday afternoon on Concordia Island.
All the schools with the exception of the high
school will close the day before, the latter continuing to have sessions next
week. The high school commencement
exercises will take place on Friday evening June 30 and the alumni banquet will
be given July 1 at Concordia Opera house. WR
10 03 PASSION PLAY
The celebrated Passion
Play as produced at Oberammergau was given a presentment at Concordia Opera
House Wednesday and Thursday nights through the medium of moving pictures. The play, as is well known, represents
different incidents in the life of Christ and the pictures were faithful
reproductions of these scenes, which are wonderfully realistic. The entertainment awakened considerable
interest among clergymen, teachers and students. WR
11 21 "BOB" FITZSIMMONS SPARRING MATCH
"Bob"
Fitzsimmons, ex-champion pugilist, and his vaudeville company held forth at the
Concordia Sunday night, the house being well filled by people anxious to see
the noted prize-ring artist at his work.
In this they were somewhat disappointed, for "Bob" cut out his
bag-punching business altogether and only sparred about three minutes with his
sparring partner, whom the sports generally class as a "dud." The vaudeville portion of the program is said
to have been good and clean. WR
Cross Reference: Robert James
"Bob" Fitzsimmons (26 May 1863 – 22 October 1917)
1900
01 09 QUEENAN AND CRAIG SPARRING MATCH
The sparring match
between Queenan and Craig announced for Saturday night at the Concordia was
given up owing to a lack of patronage.
Only about fifty sports had put up a dollar apiece and the promoters
considered this too small a purse for the men to go after. It was understood that the fight was to have been to a finish. WR
02 13 DANCING PARTY
One of the most
elaborate and altogether enjoyable social functions ever given here was the
reception and dancing party held at Concordia Opera House last Friday evening,
the Misses Minnie and Jennie Sproesser and Miss Veina Sleeper being the
hostesses who on this occasion so royally entertained their friends. The younger society element was represented
in large numbers, and all were agreed that Watertown has never witnessed a
prettier party – one more complete in its appointments and arrangements, or more happy and congenial in its atmosphere and
environment. WR
12 19 AMERICAN STEREOPTICON PRESENTATION
The American
Stereopticon View Company will present the Oberammergan Passion Play at the
Concordia Opera house this evening. The
presentation of this sacred play has created considerable enthusiasm among
Watertown theater-goers and it is expected that there
will be a large attendance. The price of
admission is only a 25 cents for adults and 15 cents
for children. WDT
10 26 LaFOLLETE SPEAKS HERE
Bob LaFollete, the
Republican candidate for governor, visited our cities Thursday morning and is
spoke at Concordia Opera House for about one hour. He arrived here at 11:45 and departed at 12
45 for Jefferson. His meeting had been
advertised far and near, and the Sinnissippi band had been out in our streets
for sometime before his arrival – still only a small audience greeted
him. The day was delightful
one, and though Robert is a fine orator, but very few people from out-of-town,
or in the city, were at the opera house to hear him – about 350 and all. Mr. LaFollete was in poor
voice, but made a good speech from a republic
standpoint. WG
12 28 THE OLIVER STOCK
BIG MINSTREL SHOW
The amusement lovers of
this city have had to endure much during the past season in the way of colored
shows which lacked merit and naturally feel that all entertainment of that
character are inferior. In order to prove that there still exists
genuine talent in this line, and to show that the management of the Oliver
Stock Big Minstrel do not wish to obtain money under false pretenses, we are
authorized to notify the public that anybody visiting the performance of this
truly meritorious organization at the Concordia Opera House on Dec. 30 will be
given their money back at the box office if the performance is not exactly as
claimed — first-class in every respect.
There is hardly a company travelling in America today that has received
more well-deserved praise from public and press, and the determination of the
management to refund money to any patron to satisfy, proves that the Oliver
Stock Big Minstrel caters to the public and live up to their agreement in every
way, and this guarantee should insure them a packed house. WG
1900s
During
the early 1900s, the Concordia building housed two theaters - the Empire and the Colonial - which featured both
film and vaudeville acts.
The
performers in the opera house circuit would change wardrobes in the attic of the
building because the area next to the stage was too small. The actors may have also slept in the attic
between shows.
In
three sections in the attic, some of those actors carved their names into the
roof. 1905, 1906 and 1907 is when they
had painted their names and dates. Watertown Daily Times, 09
10 2007
1900c
E. J.
Brandt was president of the Concordia Musical Society.
1901
01 11 “WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES”
The company which presented “What Happened to Jones” at Concordia opera
house last Monday evening was one of the best which have appeared in our city
this season. While there is absolutely
no plot to the play it abounds with laughable situations throughout; each part
was well cast and the audience was kept in constant merriment; the fun is clean
and wholesome, never approaching the vulgar; if more such plays could be
brought here our people would soon be content to attend the theatre here at
home instead of going elsewhere.
02 08 SEEBOECK, famous pianist
Seeboeck [William Charles Ernest Seeboeck], the famous pianist, will
give one of his grand recitals in the Concordia opera house, Tuesday evening,
Feb. 12th. Seeboeck will be assisted by
Miss Cora. E. Chatfield, soprano. He
brings especially for this recital a new Steinway Grand piano, which will be
placed so that all can see the keyboard.
Seeboeck was Rubenstein’s greatest pupil. As a composer, studying under the great
Brahms, he has achieved world-wide recognition, playing his own concerto with
the Thomas orchestra in Chicago. His
playing is a revelation to those who have heard the other great artists, his
wonderful pianissimo effects have never been equaled . . . .
All who love the best in music should not fail to attend this recital. WG
02 27 LIQUID AIR LECTURE AND
EXPERIMENTS
Tomorrow evening at Concordia Opera House the liquid air lecture and
experiments will be given by Prof. J. Ernest Woodland. The management promises a
sufficient quantity of the fluid to insure a
highly satisfactory and successful demonstration. Seats for the unique entertainment have been
selling well and the body of the house is all taken.
03 08 LECTURE ON LIQUID AIR
A large audience attended the lecture on liquid air at Turner Opera
House last week Thursday evening by Prof. J. Ernest Woodland. Professor
Woodland is a pleasing talker, and aside from the remarkable things he
illustrated liquid air was capable of doing, his lecture
in itself was a real treat . . . Those who heard the lecture and witnessed what
liquid air can do, are anxious to be given another opportunity of witnessing
and hearing another such treat.
1902
01 31 KINODROME SHOW
The Kinodrome show commenced a three-night engagement at the Concordia
Opera House, January 30th. A few words
explaining what the Kinodrome show is.
The Kinodrome is the moving picture machine now in universal use in the
leading vaudeville theatres in the country.
We mention this to demonstrate the high order of the pictures this
machine must exhibit to retain its prestige and constant use in the theatres it
is at this time being operated in. The
Kinodrome show is an exhibition of moving pictures sent on tour under the
direction of the company operating these various machines in the manner
stated. It has been found necessary to
gain public favor and interest in our moving picture exhibitions at various
theatres, to obtain at all times scenes and incidents
of having things up to date, and in so doing we have accumulated the largest
and most varied stock of animated pictures in existence. Up to the introduction of the Kinodrome show
on tour the public outside of the cities had only a slight knowledge of what is
being accomplished in motion photography, the rapid advancement, ingenuity and quality of highest photography being obtained
in the mysterious art . . . The exhibition promised is of the most interesting kind, and should be seen to be appreciated. Seats now on sale at Gamm's. Admission 10, 20, and 30c. Saturday matinee. WG
Cross
References: Info
on Kinodrome; Link to chapter on Classic Theater.
03 23 HUMPTY DUMPTY & THE BLACK DWARF
PERFORMED
WR ad
1903
11 17 LECTURE ON CHARLEMAGNE
A large audience
assembled last Thursday evening to hear the lecture on
Charlemagne. The use of Concordia Opera House has been
generously donated, as the capacity of the assembly room was altogether
insufficient. The hall, however, was poorly heated to the discomfort
of many, and the bowling was also the source of some annoyance. The
next lecture takes place Thursday, Nov. 19, the subject being Lorenzo di
Medici. WDT
1916
The Elks Lodge purchased the old Concordia Opera
House on Jan. 5, 1916.
Cross Reference:
PROF. HARDEGE DIRECTOR
During his early career Prof. Hardege
served as director of the old Concordia Society.
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin