Letter from Ansel Leo to Isaac Leeser;October 13, 1852

Title: Letter from Ansel Leo to Isaac Leeser;October 13, 1852
Author: Ansel Leo
Contributor: Isaac Leeser
Date Created: 13 October 1852
Location(s): New York City; Philadelphia
Format: Letter. 4 page(s).
Type: Letter
Language(s): English; Hebrew
Has Format: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p34747b7x/manifest.json
Link to Colenda: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p34747b7x
Physical Characteristics: Lined Paper; Manuscript
Is Part Of: The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries
content: New York 144 Thompson St.
Oct 13th 5612
Dear Sir/
I missed you at the consecration of our new synagogue. I believe had you been present you would have been pleased with the ceremony. I enclose you a Book containing the form of service for the occasion, and will also give you a short description in the way of criticism upon the whole according to the best of my judgement. The Building I am told is Gothic but as I do not understand architectural terms I will not attempt a description of it, it is however according to my taste the most beautiful synagogue I have ever seen. It is yet in an unfinished state this in a measure marred the effect on the day of consecration yet still under this great disadvantage it was a most beautiful picture, the Ladies Gallery was so crouded that it was found necessary to seat many Ladies below in the body of the building which was very full without being crouded. The Mayor and authorities of the city were all present But the Hebrew of the synagogues various (who were all invited) were nearly all absent. I however noticed that Doctor Lilienthal was there. The orchestra which were composed of the most eminent Professional men in the city was truly beautiful the opening symphony or overture called Joseph composed by Mehul was most splendidly performed. The chorus composed of Boys & men numbering 25 were exceedingly well

drilled and performed their parts admirably—the six first Hebrew were all chaunted by me which was not according to my original intention as each Hebrew had been presented with a Hebrew but as they were not present I was obliged to undertake the whole. The chaunting was in the old style by verse and next verse answered by chorus accompanied by the organ until the few concluding verses which were sang by the Hebrew to original music composed by my Brother Louis Leo of London—accompanied either by the organ or the Band. The 7th Hebrew was arranged as a Trio—sang by Mr Lichtenstein Master Hecht and myself—Hebrew was sang by myself and chorus accompanied by the full band—next came Dr Raphhalls sermon (no doubt you have seen it published as a composition of its merit I will not speak but it occupied too long a time and the long prayer composed by the late Dr Herschel read in Hebrew by the Doctor and the long list of Donations which amounted to nearly $2000 so completely tired the congregation that many left—next came that splendid composition of the late professor Harwitz one verse of which was adapted by Dr Raphall for the occasion—next the Hebrew sung by me accompanied by the full orchestra, and the Finale Hebrew by the chorus and full orchestra—the whole occupied about three hours and a half and I suppose the sermon the prayer & the Hebrew occupied at least 2 hours and ¼ this great length of the sermon &c &c added to the one hours delay before commencing was the only reasonable fault that could be found with the

ceremony. Upon the whole the congregation were highly delighted, and I recd many flattering compliments from members as well as strangers for the manner in which I had superinteded the whole—the Gentlemen of the orchestra were delighted with the music composed by my Brother who wrote it about 20 years ago for the consecration of the London Synagogue in St Albans Place, Haymarket, where my late Father was Hebrew the ode by the late Professor Hurwitz was also written for the same occasion.
The Trustees being impressed by the great labor I had in getting up this ceremony presented me with a very liberal sum of money as a mark of their approbation for the service I had rendered them.
This my dear Sir is a rough sketch which you can make use of or not just as it suits you—and if you please to insert the particulars in the Occident rest assured there is no exaggeration or prejudice in any one of the facts stated
Trusting that this will find you in excellent health
I am Dear Sir
yours faithfully
Ansel Leo
To
Revd I. Leeser
&c &c &c

Revd Isaac Leeser
&c &c &c
Identifier: LSDCBx1FF9_68
Date: 1852-10-13

Part of Letter from Ansel Leo to Isaac Leeser;October 13, 1852

Ansel Leo, “Letter from Ansel Leo to Isaac Leeser;October 13, 1852”, 1852-10-13, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 7, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/65523