1843 Hutchinson Family Farewell Concert Program and Ticket

New York, New York: Tribune Print, 1843. Good to very good. Light toning/staining, letter folds, the occasional nick.. A concert program and admit one ticket from an 1843 farewell concert given in New York by the famed Hutchinson Family Singers. The event was held on May 25, 1843 at the Society Library Room, 348 Broadway. The group was tremendously popular at the time, and are notable today for being early performers of what is now known as "American" music-- folk songs and tunes originating from America, rather than high-brow European choral music. They were most known for their original song "The Old Granite State" which referred to their family's roots in New Hampshire. Here, the melody and lyrics are illustrated on both the admit one and the program. Inside is a three-part program of tunes, with three accompanied by lengthy descriptions of the subject matter. Progressive for their time, they became abolitionists and advocated for women's rights. Here, we see them sympathizing with Irish immigrants, who would have been looked down upon by the upper American elite: "[The song portrays] the feelings of an Irish peasant, previous to his leaving home, calling up the scenes of his childhood, under the painful reflections of having buried his wife and child, and what his feelings will be in America". Sentiment and empathy were key to why the group became so popular among general public. Program is a bifolium (7.75" by 4.75"), admit one printed in blue and measures 2.25" by 3.5" Note well the group's attempt to include the audience into their "family"; the admit one reads, "Admit My brother or sister