The decade covered in this chapter was remarkable for progress in many directions.
Large orchestras were established all over the country—Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, San Francisco, Los Angeles, widely scattered cities, were among those which made serious efforts in the orchestral line, and performed large orchestral works.
America became in a still greater degree the hunting ground of the musical star who came from Europe, and swept the country of its loose dollars, appearing both as soloist with these orchestras, and giving recitals in the various cities.
Among pianists we had Busoni, who was, for a time, resident in Boston, Vladimir de Pachmann, the great interpreter of Chopin, who was immensely popular for some twenty-five years, and Paderewski, whose progress through the country was marked by previously unheard of demonstrations. It is said that thousands of people traveled many miles to see the train pass in which he was traveling. Alfred Reisenauer came in 1895, Slivinski, Alberto Jonás, Raoul Pugno, Siloti and Dohnanyi, were among those who made their first appearances in America during this decade.
There was also a large list of violin virtuosi beginning with Adolf Brodsky, who was followed by Henri Marteau, César Thomson, Ondriczek, Burmester, Halir, Gregorovitch, Marsick, Maud MacCarthy, Petschnikof and Madame Normann Neruda, who had been prominent in England for many years, and was long past her prime when she visited America. But the greatest artist of all was Eugen Ysaye, who first appeared in 1894, and who, since the great war, has been conductor of the Cincinnati Orchestra.
Opera continued to flourish on misfortune. Henry Abbey, who had ruined himself in driving out Mapleson, formed a partnership with John B. Schoeffel and Maurice Grau, and for some years provided opera for the country. Signor Luigi Arditi, who first appeared as conductor of the Havana Company in about 1848, and had seen more operatic service in America than any other conductor, made a brief but interesting estimate of the impresarios under whom he had traveled during those years. "I have come to the conclusion," he writes, "that Don Francesco Marty (of the Havana Company) was the most generous of men, and Max Maretzek the cleverest. Colonel Mapleson was decidedly the astutest of all directors, ... while to Henry Abbey must be attributed every straightforward and honorable quality. Maurice Grau was the cleverest ofentrepreneurs."
Among the singers brought here by thiscombination was Tamagno, who appeared in 1890. The following season came Jean and Edouard de Reszke, who reigned supreme for a number of years. Also two American singers who had made reputations abroad,—Emma Eames and Marie van Zandt. In 1893 Nellie Melba and Emma Calvé came; and in 1894 Pol Plançon. In 1896 the Abbey and Grau combination collapsed. Abbey died soon after, and Grau continued alone until 1903.
In 1895 Walter Damrosch made an effort, which extended over several years, to reëstablish German opera, at the Metropolitan Opera House. This house, by the way, had been burned down in 1892, but was rebuilt and opened again in the following year. Several new singers were brought over from Germany, among them being Johanna Gadski.
In 1897 and 1898 Walter Damrosch joined forces with Charles A. Ellis, the manager of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, who had already been managing a company of which Melba was the star.
In 1896 Ernestine Schumann-Heink made her first American appearance in Chicago, and the following year joined the Metropolitan Company. Also Milka Ternina, an excellent artist, made her first appearance in Boston.
In 1898 Maurice Grau was the leading operatic impresario once more and introduced several new singers, including Marie Brema, Suzanne Adams, an American, and Marie Engle, also in 1900 another American, Louise Homer, while of the men AlbertAlvarez, a French tenor, and Antonio Scotti, an Italian baritone, were the most brilliant stars.
Italian opera was now being pushed hard by German opera, while French opera was very little heard. The table of performances published in New York at the end of the season 1900-1901 shows that Wagner had thirty-four performances out of a total of eighty-six. Gounod was next with twelve performances, Verdi with eight, Puccini with eight, Meyerbeer with five, Mascagni with four, Reyer and Massenet three each, Boito, Mozart and Donizetti two each, and Beethoven, Leoncavallo and Bizet one each.
American composers were seeking new themes indigenous to the soil. Many had already written something under the title of "Rip van Winkle," and Walter Damrosch had brought out an opera based on Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter." Anton Dvořák composed his "New World Symphony" making use of negro melodies for his themes. The resources of the Indians, the prairies and the mountains have been tapped more or less successfully. The oil fields still offer a thrilling subject for the composer.
1890. Jan. 4. Peter Cornelius's opera "Der Barbier von Bagdad" presented at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, under Walter Damrosch, also J. Bayer's ballet "Die Puppensee," with Frank Damrosch conducting.1890. Jan. 4. Saint-Saëns's Third Violin Concerto (B minor) given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra with T. Adamowski as soloist; also Borodin's First Symphony (E flat).1890. Jan. 11. Production of MacDowell's symphonic tone poem "Lancelot and Elaine," given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1890. Jan. 23. Edouard Lalo's opera "Le Roy d'Ys," presented at New Orleans, La., with Furst, Balleroy, Geoffroy, Rossi, Butat, Miss Leavinson and Mrs. Beretta in the caste.1890. Jan. 31. Brahms's "Liebeslieder Waltzes" given by the Symphony Society, in New York City.1890. Feb. 1. Chaikovsky's Fourth Symphony (F minor) given at a concert of the Symphony Society in New York City. W. Damrosch conducting.1890. Mar. 24. Début of Tamagno, great Italian tenor, asOtelloat the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1890. Mar. 25. Dvořák's Pianoforte Concerto in G minor, given at a concert in Chickering Hall, Boston, under B. J. Lang, with Benjamin L. Whelpley as soloist.1890. April 8. J. C. D. Parker's oratorio "St. John" produced by the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston.1890. Nov. 1. Goldmark's overture "Prometheus," and Sgambati's Pianoforte Concerto in G minor, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1890. Nov. 15. Moszkowski's Second Suite given in New York City, by Theodore Thomas.1890. Nov. 20. Raff's overture to "Romeo and Juliet" given at a concert of the Cecilia Society in Boston.1890. Nov. 22. Haydn's Concerto for Violoncello given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, with Anton Hekking as soloist, also Smetana's symphonic poem "Vltava."1890. Nov. 26. Franchetti's opera "Asraële," presented at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1890. Dec. 6. Goldmark's Violin Concerto in A minor given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. F. Kneisel, soloist.1890. Dec. 10. Production of H. W. Parker's overture "Count de Paris" by the Manuscript Society in New York City. Also E. C. Phelps's "Meditation" for orchestra.1890. Dec. 12. Smareglia's opera "Der Vassall von Szigeth" presented at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1890. Dec. 12. Richard Burmeister's Pianoforte Concerto given by the Symphony Society in New York City, with the composer as soloist.1890. Dec. Leopold Godowski, who had previously toured America as accompanist for Ovide Musin, made his first recital-tour.1890. Grand opera given by Abbey and Schoeffel with a company including Adelina Patti, Emma Albani, Lillian Nordica, Fabbri, Carbone, Ravelli, Tamagno and others.1891. Jan. 9. The Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha's opera "Diana von Solange," presented at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1891. Jan. 10. Joachim's Violin Concerto in G given by Theodore Thomas in New York City, and on the 17th, Rubinstein's overture to "Antony and Cleopatra" in Brooklyn, N. Y.1891. Jan. 23. Début of Xaver Scharwenka in concert at Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1891. Jan. 24. Arthur Foote's symphonic prologue "Francesca da Rimini" produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1891. Feb. 4. Chaikovsky's overture fantasia "Hamlet" given by Theodore Thomas in Brooklyn, N. Y.1891. Feb. 5. Massenet's cantata "Eve" given by the New York Chorus Society at Lenox Lyceum, New York City.1891. Feb. 23. Dudley Buck's Romance, for Four Horns and Orchestra, played at an American Composers' Concert in New York City, under Mortimer Wiske. Also H. R. Shelley's Concerto for Violin.1891. Mar. 7. Klughardt's Third Symphony (D major) given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1891. Mar. 14. Paderewski's Pianoforte Concerto in A minor given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, with Madame Julie Rivé-King as soloist.1891. April 2. G. W. Chadwick's ode, "The Pilgrims' Hymn," produced by the Cecilia Society, Boston.1891. April 10. Dudley Buck's overture "The Star Spangled Banner" produced at the "Tribune" Celebration in New York City.1891. April 15. Massenet's suite "Esclarmonde" given in Chicago, by Theodore Thomas. Produced as an opera in New Orleans, 1893. Feb. 10.1891. April 29. Balakirev's oriental fantasia "Islamei" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, with Arthur Friedheim, soloist.1891. May 5. Berlioz's "Te Deum" given by the Oratorio Society in New York City, at the opening of Carnegie Hall.1891. May 8. Chaikovsky's "Legend" and "Paternoster" given by the Oratorio Society, New York City, conducted by the composer.1891. Sept. 9. Mascagni's opera "Cavalleria Rusticana" given in Philadelphia, under Gustav Hinrichs.1891. Sept. 23. Dr. J. F. Bridge's dramatic oratorio "The Repentance of Nineveh" given at the Worcester (Mass.) Musical Festival.1891. Sept. 24. Also Victor Herbert's dramatic cantata "The Captive."1891. Sept. 24. MacDowell's suite in A minor, and1891. Sept. 25. Handel's "Overture to an Occasional Oratorio."1891. Oct. 31. Richard Strauss's tone poem "Don Juan" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, A. Nikisch conducting.1891. Nov. 3. American début of Adolf Brodsky, noted violinist, with the New York Symphony Society, in Brahms's concerto.1891. Nov. 5. Liszt's symphonic poem "Hungaria" given at a concert of the Philharmonic Orchestra in the Tremont Theatre, Boston, with Bernhard Listemann as conductor.1891. Nov. 13. American début of Ferruccio Busoni, pianist, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven's Fourth Concerto.1891. Nov. 18. American début of Ignace Paderewski, noted Polish pianist, in Carnegie Hall, New York City.1891. Nov. 21. Production of C. M. Loeffler's suite for violin and orchestra, "Les Viellées de l'Ukraine," by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1891. Nov. 29. Berlioz's "Le 5 Mai," for bass solo, chorus and orchestra given by the Cecilia Society in Boston.1891. Dec. 8. Rimsky-Korsakof's second symphony "Antar"given by the Arion Society, New York City, F. van der Stucken, conductor.1891. Dec. 14. American début of Jean (tenor) and Edouard (bass) de Reszke in "Roméo et Juliette" at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1891. Dec. 21. American début of Marie van Zandt, American soprano, asAminain "La Sonnambula" at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1891. Dec. 25. Reyer's opera "Sigurd" presented at the French Opera House, New Orleans, La.1891. Dec. 26. Handel's Concerto in F major for strings and two wind instruments, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1891. Dec. 31. Chaikovsky's fantasia "Francesca da Rimini" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1891. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra established, with Theodore Thomas as conductor.1892. Jan. 6. Litolff's overture to "King Lear" played at a Young People's Concert of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1892. Jan. 9. Strauss's tone poem "Tod und Verklärung" given by the Philharmonic Society, New York City, Theodore Thomas conducting.1892. Jan. 10. Chadwick's "A Pastoral Prelude" produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1892. Jan. 15. American début of Jean Lasalle, noted French baritone, asNeluskoin "L'Africaine" at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1892. Jan. 29. P. Scharwenka's symphonic poem "Frühlingswogen" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Theodore Thomas conductor.1892. Feb. 5. Max Bruch's Second Concerto for Violin given by the New York Symphony Society with Geraldine Morgan, soloist.1892. Feb. 6. First recital of Vladimir de Pachmann, Russian pianist, at Chickering Hall, New York City.1892. Feb. 13. Massenet's opera "Hérodiade" presented at the French Opera House, New Orleans. (Given in New York, Nov. 8, 1909, by Hammerstein.)1892. Feb. 20. F. Busoni's Symphonic Suite (Op. 23), three movements, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1892. Feb. 27. A. Dvořák's Fourth Symphony (G major) and Borodin's "A Prairie Scene" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1892. April 1. R. Strauss's symphonic poem "Macbeth" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1892. April 16. Suite from G. Henschel's music to "Hamlet" played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the composer.1892. May 5. G. W. Chadwick's cantata "Phoenix Expirans" produced at the Springfield, Mass., Festival.1892. Aug. 1. John Philip Sousa, noted bandmaster, resigned from the Marine Corps, and organized his band, which gained a world-wide reputation.1892. Aug. 27. Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, destroyed by fire.1892. Oct. 21. A. Dvořák's "Carnival" and "Otello" overtures presented at a concert given under the auspices of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City, in honor of the composer's first appearance in America.1892. Oct. 21. The music of Moritz Moszkowski's opera "Boabdil" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Also J. Strauss's waltz "Seid umschlungen Millionen."1892. Oct. 22. Chaikovsky's suite "Le Casse-Noisette" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1892. Oct. 22. Saint-Saëns's Second Symphony (A minor) given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1892. Oct. 22. Production of J. K. Paine's "Columbus March and Hymn," and George W. Chadwick's "Columbian Ode," at the dedication of the Music Building at the World's Fair in Chicago, Ill., under Theodore Thomas.1892. Nov. 11. Hamish McCunn's concert overture "The Land of the Mountain and Flood" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1892. Dec. 2. Cherubini's Overture given in New York City.1892. Dec. 17. P. Gilson's symphonic sketches, "La Mer," given by the Philharmonic Society, New York City.1892. Peoples' Choral Union organized in New York City, by Frank Damrosch.1893. Jan. 4. Saint-Saëns's opera "Samson et Dalila" presented at the French Opera House, New Orleans, with Renaud and Madame Mounier in the leading parts.1893. Jan. 24. Moritz Moszkowski's opera "Boabdil" presented at the Manhattan Opera House, New York.1893. Jan. 31. P. Mascagni's opera "L'Amico Fritz" given its first complete stage performance in America by Walter Damrosch at Carnegie Hall, New York City. (A performance had been given June 8, 1892, by Gustav Heinrichs, in Philadelphia.)1893. Feb. 3. Fuchs's Serenade for Strings and Two Horns given by the New York Symphony Society.1893. Feb. 4. Arthur Foote's ballad "The Skeleton in Armor" for chorus, quartet and orchestra, produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1893. Mar. 4. G. Riemenschneider's "Tödtentanz" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1884. Feb. 3. Volkmann's Violoncello Concerto given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1893. Mar. 17. Edgar Tinel's oratorio "St. Francis d'Assisi" given by the Oratorio Society, New York City.1893. April 8. Margaret Ruthven Lang's "Dramatic Overture" produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1893. April 15. F. Busoni's Symphonic Tone Poem produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1893. May 3. H. W. Parker's oratorio "Hora Novissima" produced by the Church Choral Society in New York City.1893. June. Musorgsky's "Une Nuit sur le Mont Chauve" said to have been played in a series of Russian concerts at the World's Columbian Exposition (June 5-13) with V. T. Hlavac, conductor.1893. June 6. Balakiref's Overture on Russian Themes given at the Chicago Exposition at a concert of Russian music, and on June 7, Glazunof's "Triumphal March."1895. June 12. Arthur Bird's Third Orchestral Suite given at the Chicago (Ill.) Exposition.1893. July 7. Harry Rowe Shelley's "Carnival Overture" produced at the Chicago Exposition, and on the 19th his suite "The Ruined Castle."1893. July 29. Margaret Ruthven Lang's overture "Witches" produced at the Chicago Exposition.1893. Aug. Bizet's opera, "The Pearl Fishers," given in English in Philadelphia.1893. Nov. 16. Scholz's suite, "Wanderings," given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1893. Nov. 16. Gounod's opera "Philémon et Baucis" given in English by the Duff Opera Company, at Herrman's Theatre, New York City.1893. Nov. 24. G. Charpentier's orchestral suite "Impressions d'Italie" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1893. Nov. 27. New Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, opened with a performance of "Faust," at which Pol Plançon, noted French basso, made his American début.1893. Nov. 29. American début of Emma Calvé, noted French mezzo-soprano, asSantuzza, in "Cavalleria Rusticana" at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1893. Dec. 2. American début of Richard Burmeister, pianist, at Carnegie Hall, New York City, with the Damrosch Orchestra.1893. Dec. 3. F. A. Lamond's overture "From the Highlands" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1893. Dec. 4. American début of Nellie Melba, great Australian soprano, in "Lucia di Lammermoor" at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1893. Dec. 5. First appearance in America of Josef Slivinski, Polish pianist, at a concert in Madison Square Hall, New York City.1893. Dec. 9. Alberto Jonás, noted Spanish pianist, made his American début in Carnegie Hall, New York City.1893. Dec. American début of Sigrid Arnoldson, soprano, in Gounod's opera "Philémon et Baucis," at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1893. Dec. 9. Sinding's First Symphony (D minor) given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1893. Dec. 15. Dvořák's symphony in E minor "From the New World" produced by the Philharmonic Society in New York City. (Played from MS.)1893. Dec. 28. Sgambati's "Te Deum" performed in Chicago, Ill., under directorship of Theodore Thomas.1893. Dec. 30. Chaikovsky's "1812" overture given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1893. Henri Marteau, violinist, made his first American concert tour.1893. The Pittsburgh (Pa.) Symphony Orchestra organized under Frederick Archer.1893. Emil Paur appointed conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1893-4. Abbey and Grau presented grand opera with a company which included as newcomers, Emma Calvé, Nellie Melba, Sigrid Arnoldson, Pol Plançon, Gurin, Dufriche and Vignas.1894. Jan. 5. Dvořák's Concerto for Violin given by the New York City Symphony Society, with Henri Marteau as soloist.1894. Jan. 27. Liszt's rhapsody "Espagnole" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1894. Feb. 3. Moszkowski's "Torchlight Dance" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1894. Feb. 3. Loeffler's "Concerto Fantastique" for Violoncello, produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and at the same concert d'Albert's overture to "Esther" was played for the first time in America.1894. Feb. 7. Hartmann's overture "Nordische Meerfahrt," Bruch's "Romanza" (Opus 42), and Saint-Saëns's "Morceau de Concert," given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1894. Mar. 16. Chaikovsky's Sixth Symphony given by the Symphony Society in New York City, and Victor Herbert's Second Violoncello Concerto, with the composer as soloist.1894. April 7. Hans von Bülow's "Funerale" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1894. April 20. Massenet's opera "Werther" given at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, with Eames, Arnoldson and Jean de Reszke in leading parts; Mancinelli conducting.1894. April. Edgar Stillman Kelley's "Aladdin" and "A Chinese Suite for Orchestra," San Francisco, Cal.1894. May 23. Goldmark's overture to "Sappho" given in Cincinnati, O., under Theodore Thomas.1894. May 25. Second and third tableaux from Rubinstein's sacred opera "Moses," given by Theodore Thomas in Cincinnati, O.1894. June 15. Leoncavallo's opera "I Pagliacci" presented in New York with Kronold, Montegriffo and Campanari.1894. Aug. 29. Puccini's opera "Manon Lescaut" presented at the Grand Opera House, Philadelphia, with Selma Kronold and Montegriffo.1894. Sept. 27. Handel's Concerto (No. 7, in B flat) for organ and orchestra given at the Worcester (Mass.) Festival, with William C. Carl as soloist.1894. Oct. 19. G. W. Chadwick's Third Symphony (F major) produced by Boston Symphony Orchestra. (This work won the prize offered by the National Conservatory.)1894. Oct. 30. American debut of César Thomson, noted Belgian violinist, at Carnegie Hall, New York City.1894. Nov. 17. P. Benoit's Symphonic Poem for flute and orchestra given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1894. Nov. 25. American début of Eugen Ysaye, great Belgian violinist, in a concert at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1894. Dec. 7. Joachim's "Theme and Variations" for violin, given by the Symphony Society, New York City, with Eugen Ysaye as soloist.1894. Dec. 17. Bemberg's opera "Elaine" (libretto by Paul Ferrier) presented at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, with Melba, Mantelli, J. and E. de Reszke, Plançon and Castelmary.1894. Dec. 28. Goldmark's Scherzo (Op. 45) given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1894. Dec. 29. Henry Holden Huss's Pianoforte Concerto in B major produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, with the composer as soloist.1895. Jan. 5. C. M. Loeffler's Divertimento in A minor, produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1895. Jan. 15. American début of Sybil Sanderson, Americansoprano, asManon, at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1895. Jan. 25. A. Mackenzie's nautical overture "Britannica" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1895. Feb. 4. Verdi's opera "Falstaff" presented at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, with Emma Eames, Zelie de Lussan, Scalchi, Campanari, and Maurel. Mancinelli conducting.1895. Feb. 8. Cecile Chaminade's "Concertstücke," for orchestra, given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1895. Feb. 16. Gustav Strube's overture to "The Maid of Orleans" produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1895. Feb. 21. Howard LeGrand's oratorio "The Resurrection" given by the Church Choral Society, New York City.1895. Feb. 22. Rheinberger's Concerto in G minor, for organ, given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1895. Feb. 28. Maurice Arnold's "American Plantation Dances" given by the American Symphony Orchestra, New York City.1895. Mar. 1. American début of Johanna Gadski, soprano, asElsain "Lohengrin" at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1895. Mar. 23. Marschner's overture to "Hans Heiling," and Reinecke's entr'acte of "Der Gouverneur von Tours" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra; also R. Kahn's overture in C minor "Elegie" produced (from MS.). "Hans Heiling" played 1856. April 19. by the Philharmonic Society, New York.1895. Mar. 30. H. Goetz's "Spring Overture"; Knorr's "Variations on an Ukraine Folk Song," and H. W. Parker's Rhapsody for baritone and orchestra, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1895. April 14. J. C. D. Parker's oratorio "The Life of Man" produced by the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston.1895. Oct. 6. Humperdinck's opera "Hänsel und Gretel" given in English in New York City at Daly's Theatre, with Alice Gordon, Marie Elba, Louise Meisslinger, Jacques Bars, C. Brané and E. Johnson. A. Seidl, conductor.1895. Oct. 19. Mozart's Andante and Variations in D minor given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1895. Oct. 25. Smetana's symphonic poem "Sarka," and Edward German's "Three Dances of the Time of Henry VIII," given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1895. Nov. 1. TheVorspielto R. Strauss's opera "Guntram" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1895. Nov. 1. Rameau's suite de ballet from "Acanthe et Céphise" and the Prelude to the third act of R. Strauss's opera "Guntram" given by the Symphony Society in New York City.1895. Nov. Symphony Orchestra organized in San Francisco, Cal., with Fritz Scheel as conductor.1895. Nov. 4. Paderewski's "Polish Fantasia" given at a concert in Carnegie Hall, New York City.1895. Nov. 8. César Franck's symphonic poem "Les Sylphides," given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1895. Nov. 15. The ballet music from Massenet's opera "Thaïs," and Strauss's tone poem "Till Eulenspiegel," given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1895. Nov. 15. American début of Franz Ondriczek, violinist, at a concert of the Philharmonic Society, New York City, in Dvořák's A minor Concerto for violin.1895. Nov. 29. American début of Giuseppe Cremonini, tenor, at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1895. Nov. 30. The Prelude to d'Albert's opera "Der Rubin" played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1895. Dec. 7. Reznicek's overture to the opera "Donna Diana" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1895. Dec. 11. Massenet's opera "La Navarraise" presented at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, with Emma Calvé in the title-rôle.1895. Dec. 17. American début of Yvette Guilbert at Hammerstein's Music Hall, New York, N. Y.1895. Willy Burmester, violinist, toured the United States.1895. Alfred Reisenauer, pianist, first appeared in America.1895. Cincinnati Orchestral Association founded, with Frank van der Stucken as conductor.1895-6. German opera given in New York and several of the large cities by Walter Damrosch, with a company includingJohanna Gadski, Marie Brema, Rose Sucher, Rothmühl (tenor) and others.1896. Jan. 4. Lalo's Suite "Namouna," given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1896. Jan. 23. Edward MacDowell's "Indian Suite" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1896. American début of Milka Ternina, soprano, asBrunnhildein "Die Walküre" in Boston.1896. Feb. 7. Chaikovsky's First Symphony (G minor) given by the Philharmonic Society, New York City.1896. Feb. 11. Stage production of Walter Damrosch's opera "The Scarlet Letter," at the Boston Theatre, Boston, Mass., with Gadski, Berthald and Mertens.1896. Feb. 13. Scharwenka's opera "Mataswintha" given in concert form by the Manuscript Society in New York City.1896. Feb. 22. H. Zöllner's orchestral fantasia "Midnight at Sedan" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1896. Mar. 21. "Three Hungarian Dances" by Brahms, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1896. April 4. Production of Gustav Strube's Symphony in C minor, by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1896. April 17. Handel's Concerto in F, for strings, given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and on the 24th Smetana's symphonic poem "Vysehrad."1896. April 24. Henschel's "Stabat Mater" given by the Oratorio Society, New York City, conducted by the composer.1896. Oct. 17. Bourgault-Ducoudray's "L'Interrement d'Ophélie" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1896. Oct. 23. Balakireff's symphonic poem "Thamar" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1896. Oct. 24. Chabrier's Overture to "Gwendoline" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1896. Oct. 31. Production of Mrs. H. H. A. Beach's "Gaelic Symphony" (from MS.) by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1896. Nov. 7. The "Sevilliana" from Massenet's opera "Don César de Bazan" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1896. Nov. 8. American début of Karl Halir, violinist, in Beethoven's Violin Concerto, with the Philharmonic Society, New York City.1896. Nov. 13. Giordano's opera "Andrea Chénier" given at the Academy of Music, New York City, by Mapleson, with Bonaplato-Bau, Scalchi and Durot.1896. Nov. 13. Smetana's symphonic poem "Richard III," Duparc's symphonic poem "Lenore," and Glazunof's "Oriental Rhapsody," given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1896. Nov. 21. The Intermezzo from Goldmark's opera "Das Heimchen am Herd" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1896. Nov. 24. American début of C. Gregorovitch, violinist, at Chickering Hall, New York City, with the American Symphony Orchestra.1896. Dec. 11. Roentgen's "Ballad on a Norwegian Folk Song" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1896. Dec. 19. Dvořák's Violoncello Concerto in B minor, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Schroeder, soloist.1896. Dec. 26. Selections from Gluck's ballet, "Don Juan," and from Humperdinck's opera "Königskinder," also Handel's First Overture, in D minor, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1896. American début of Jacques Bars, tenor, in "Hänsel und Gretel" at Daly's Theatre, New York City.1896. Margaret Ruthven Lang's "Sappho's Prayer" produced in New York City.1896. Los Angeles (Cal.) Symphony Orchestra organized.1896. Martin Marsick, violinist, made his first tour in America.1897. Jan. 1. Dvořák's tone poem "The Golden Spinning Wheel" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1897. Jan. 2. Smetana's symphonic poem "Wallenstein's Lager" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1897. Jan. 8. Rimsky-Korsakof's suite "Mlada" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1897. Jan. 16. Dittersdorf's Symphony in C major, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1897. Feb. 4. Dvořák's symphonic poem "The Water Fay" given at a concert of the Seidl Society at the Academy of Music, New York City.1897. Feb. 5. R. Strauss's tone poem, "Also sprach Zarathustra," given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1897. Feb. 12. Massenet's opera "Le Cid" given at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, with Felia Litvinne, Clementine de Vere, J. Bars, J. de Reszke, Pol Plançon, J. Lasalle and E. de Reszke. Mancinelli conducting.1897. Mar. 6. Arthur Whiting's Fantasy for pianoforte and orchestra in B flat minor, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1897. Mar 17. J. W. Glover's oratorio "St. Patrick at Tara" given at the Lexington Opera House, New York City.1897. Mar. 24. Mozart's Symphony in A major given by the American Symphony Society in Chickering Hall, New York City. Sam Franko, conductor.1897. April 3. Dvořák's Rondo for Violoncello (Op. 94) given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1897. April 17. Rimsky-Korsakof's symphonic suite "Scheherazade" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1897. June 25. H. R. Shelley's Symphony in E flat played at the Music Teachers National Association Convention in New York City.1897. Sept. 22. Production of Gustav Strube's Violin Concerto (Op. 13) at the Worcester (Mass.) Festival, with F. Kneisel as soloist.1897. Oct. 16. Glazunof's "Poème Lyrique" (Op. 42) given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1897. Oct. 23. Rimsky-Korsakof's overture on Russian church themes, "La Grand Paque Russe," and Gernsheim's Violin Concerto in D major, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1897. Oct. 29. Glazunof's Second Concert Waltz given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and on the 4th Nov. Glazunof's tableaux musicales "Printemps."1897. Nov. 26. Chaikovsky's symphonic ballad "Voyvode" given by the Symphony Society in New York City.1897. Dec. 3. Introduction to Act II of d'Albert's opera "Gernot," given by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Frederick Archer conductor.1897. Dec. Production of Henry K. Hadley's First Symphony under direction of Anton Seidl, in New York City.1897. Dec. 10. Raoul Pugno, French pianist, first appeared in the United States.1897. Dec. 13. Massenet's opera "Le Portrait de Manon" given in French by the Society of Musical Arts, at the Astoria, New York City. Also C. Chaminade's ballet "Callirhoë," and on Dec. 21, an opera by V. Thompson and Aïme Lachaume, "In Old Japan," was produced.1897-8. The Damrosch-Ellis Opera Company gave grand opera throughout the country with artists including Melba, Nordica, Gadski, soprani; van Cauteren and Mattfeld, contralti; Kraus, Salignac, Rothmühl and Ibos, tenors; Stehman, Fischer, and Boudouresque, basses.1898. Jan. 7. Hugo Kaun's "Festival March and Hymn" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1898. Jan. 8. Siegfried Wagner's symphonic poem "Sehnsucht" given by the Philharmonic Society in New York City.1898. Jan. 8. Production of C.M. Loeffler's dramatic poem, "La mort de Tintagiles" by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1898. Jan. 14. Hugo Kaun's Symphony in D minor given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1898. Jan. 15. Paganini's "Caprice" for violin, in A minor, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1898. Jan. 25. American début of Alexander Siloti, famous Russian pianist, as a concert given by Anton Seidl at the Astoria, New York City.1898. Jan. 27. Production of Gustav Strube's overture for trumpets, horns, tuba and kettledrums, at a concert of the Apollo Club in Boston.1898. Jan. 27. Dubois's Concerto for Violin, in D minor, given by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra with Henri Marteau as soloist.1898. Jan. 29. César Franck's symphonic poem "The WildHuntsman" given at Cincinnati, O., by Theodore Thomas.1898. Nov. 12. Chaikovsky's Second Pianoforte Concerto (G major) given by Philharmonic Society, New York. Alexander Siloti, soloist.1898. Feb. 26. A. Goring Thomas's cantata "The Swan and the Skylark" given at a Seidl Concert in the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1898. Mar. 1. H. H. Huss's dramatic scene, "Cleopatra's Death," given by the Philharmonic Society, New York City, under A. Seidl.1898. Mar. 5. Glazunof's Fifth Symphony (B flat major) given by the Philharmonic Society in New York City. A Seidl conductor.1898. Mar. 7. Saint-Saëns's Fifth Pianoforte Concerto given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in New York City, with Raoul Pugno as soloist. Also César Franck's "Variations Symphoniques."1898. Mar. Puccini's opera "La Bohème" presented in San Francisco, Cal., by the Royal Italian Opera Company. (Given by same company in New York, May 10.)1898. April 7. F. Weingärtner's symphonic poem, "The Elysian Fields," given by the Philharmonic Society, New York City.1898. Horatio Parker's oratorio "St. Christopher" given by the Oratorio Society, New York City.1898. April 23. D'Indy's symphonic variations "Istar" given by Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Theodore Thomas, conductor.1898. Oct. 22. Chausson's symphonic poem "Viviane," and Mackenzie's three dances for "The Little Minister" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1898. Nov. 7. American début of Ernestine Schumann-Heink, asOrtrudin "Lohengrin," in Chicago.1898. Nov. 8. American début of Albert Saleza, tenor, asRomeo, in Chicago.1898. Nov. 29. American début of Ernest van Dyck, asTannhäuser, at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1898. Dec. 3. First performance of Walter Damrosch's"Manilla Te Deum" given by the Oratorio Society of New York City.1898. Dec. 14. American début of Anton van Rooy, asWotanin "Die Walküre" at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1898. Dec. 25. American début of Maud MacCarthy, violinist, at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1898. Borodin's Symphony in B minor first played in America by the Cincinnati Orchestra.1898. Victor Herbert appointed conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.1899. Jan. 4. American début of Suzanne Adams, American soprano, at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1899. Jan. 7. R. Strauss's tone poem "Don Quixote," given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1899. Jan. 12. Gounod's opera "La Reine de Saba," presented at the French Opera House, New Orleans, La.1899. Jan. 17. F. S. Converse's Symphony in D minor (first movement) given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1899. Jan. 17. Grieg's Symphonic Dances given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1899. Feb. 3. Hugo Kaun's overture "Der Maler von Antwerpen" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1899. Feb. 7. American début of Albert Alvarez, French operatic tenor, asRomeo, in Boston, at the Boston Theatre.1899. Feb. 8. American début of Lady Halle (Normann Neruda), noted violinist, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She played Spohr's Violin Concerto in C minor.1899. Mar. 4. Chabrier's "Bourrée Fantastique" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1899. Mar. 10. Mancinelli's opera "Ero e Leandro" presented at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, conducted by the composer.1899. Mar. 22. American début of E. Dohnanyi, Hungarian pianist, with Boston Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, New York City.1899. Mar. 25. César Franck's oratorio "The Beatitudes" given by the Liederkranz Society of New York City.1899. April. 15. César Franck's Symphony in D Minor given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1899. April 24. Perosi's oratorio "The Transfiguration of Christ" given by the Cecilia Society of Boston.1899. Oct. 14. Arensky's Pianoforte Concerto in F minor, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra with Katherine Goodson as soloist.1899. Oct. 20. Dvořák's tone poem, "The Wild Dove," given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.1899. Oct. 21. Lalo's Violoncello Concerto in D minor, and Glazunof's Sixth Symphony (G minor) given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1899. Oct. The Society of American Musicians and Composers organized to succeed the MS. Society of New York City.1899. Nov. 3. American début of Mark Hambourg, pianist, in Boston with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1899. Nov. 4. Siegfried Wagner's opera "Der Bärenhäuter," and W. Berger's Symphony in B flat major, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1899. Nov. 17. American début of A. Petchnikof, violinist, with the Philharmonic Orchestra, New York City.1899. Nov. 18. Dvořák's symphonic poem (Op. 111), "Pisen Bohatyrská" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1899. Dec. 9. F. Draeseke's "Jubel Overture" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.1899. Dec. 23. American début of Antonio Scotti, noted baritone, asDon Giovanniat the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.1899. Dec. 30. H. W. Parker's "Northern Ballad" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1890. Jan. 4. Peter Cornelius's opera "Der Barbier von Bagdad" presented at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, under Walter Damrosch, also J. Bayer's ballet "Die Puppensee," with Frank Damrosch conducting.
1890. Jan. 4. Saint-Saëns's Third Violin Concerto (B minor) given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra with T. Adamowski as soloist; also Borodin's First Symphony (E flat).
1890. Jan. 11. Production of MacDowell's symphonic tone poem "Lancelot and Elaine," given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1890. Jan. 23. Edouard Lalo's opera "Le Roy d'Ys," presented at New Orleans, La., with Furst, Balleroy, Geoffroy, Rossi, Butat, Miss Leavinson and Mrs. Beretta in the caste.
1890. Jan. 31. Brahms's "Liebeslieder Waltzes" given by the Symphony Society, in New York City.
1890. Feb. 1. Chaikovsky's Fourth Symphony (F minor) given at a concert of the Symphony Society in New York City. W. Damrosch conducting.
1890. Mar. 24. Début of Tamagno, great Italian tenor, asOtelloat the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1890. Mar. 25. Dvořák's Pianoforte Concerto in G minor, given at a concert in Chickering Hall, Boston, under B. J. Lang, with Benjamin L. Whelpley as soloist.
1890. April 8. J. C. D. Parker's oratorio "St. John" produced by the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston.
1890. Nov. 1. Goldmark's overture "Prometheus," and Sgambati's Pianoforte Concerto in G minor, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1890. Nov. 15. Moszkowski's Second Suite given in New York City, by Theodore Thomas.
1890. Nov. 20. Raff's overture to "Romeo and Juliet" given at a concert of the Cecilia Society in Boston.
1890. Nov. 22. Haydn's Concerto for Violoncello given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, with Anton Hekking as soloist, also Smetana's symphonic poem "Vltava."
1890. Nov. 26. Franchetti's opera "Asraële," presented at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1890. Dec. 6. Goldmark's Violin Concerto in A minor given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. F. Kneisel, soloist.
1890. Dec. 10. Production of H. W. Parker's overture "Count de Paris" by the Manuscript Society in New York City. Also E. C. Phelps's "Meditation" for orchestra.
1890. Dec. 12. Smareglia's opera "Der Vassall von Szigeth" presented at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1890. Dec. 12. Richard Burmeister's Pianoforte Concerto given by the Symphony Society in New York City, with the composer as soloist.
1890. Dec. Leopold Godowski, who had previously toured America as accompanist for Ovide Musin, made his first recital-tour.
1890. Grand opera given by Abbey and Schoeffel with a company including Adelina Patti, Emma Albani, Lillian Nordica, Fabbri, Carbone, Ravelli, Tamagno and others.
1891. Jan. 9. The Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha's opera "Diana von Solange," presented at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1891. Jan. 10. Joachim's Violin Concerto in G given by Theodore Thomas in New York City, and on the 17th, Rubinstein's overture to "Antony and Cleopatra" in Brooklyn, N. Y.
1891. Jan. 23. Début of Xaver Scharwenka in concert at Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1891. Jan. 24. Arthur Foote's symphonic prologue "Francesca da Rimini" produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1891. Feb. 4. Chaikovsky's overture fantasia "Hamlet" given by Theodore Thomas in Brooklyn, N. Y.
1891. Feb. 5. Massenet's cantata "Eve" given by the New York Chorus Society at Lenox Lyceum, New York City.
1891. Feb. 23. Dudley Buck's Romance, for Four Horns and Orchestra, played at an American Composers' Concert in New York City, under Mortimer Wiske. Also H. R. Shelley's Concerto for Violin.
1891. Mar. 7. Klughardt's Third Symphony (D major) given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1891. Mar. 14. Paderewski's Pianoforte Concerto in A minor given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, with Madame Julie Rivé-King as soloist.
1891. April 2. G. W. Chadwick's ode, "The Pilgrims' Hymn," produced by the Cecilia Society, Boston.
1891. April 10. Dudley Buck's overture "The Star Spangled Banner" produced at the "Tribune" Celebration in New York City.
1891. April 15. Massenet's suite "Esclarmonde" given in Chicago, by Theodore Thomas. Produced as an opera in New Orleans, 1893. Feb. 10.
1891. April 29. Balakirev's oriental fantasia "Islamei" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, with Arthur Friedheim, soloist.
1891. May 5. Berlioz's "Te Deum" given by the Oratorio Society in New York City, at the opening of Carnegie Hall.
1891. May 8. Chaikovsky's "Legend" and "Paternoster" given by the Oratorio Society, New York City, conducted by the composer.
1891. Sept. 9. Mascagni's opera "Cavalleria Rusticana" given in Philadelphia, under Gustav Hinrichs.
1891. Sept. 23. Dr. J. F. Bridge's dramatic oratorio "The Repentance of Nineveh" given at the Worcester (Mass.) Musical Festival.
1891. Sept. 24. Also Victor Herbert's dramatic cantata "The Captive."
1891. Sept. 24. MacDowell's suite in A minor, and
1891. Sept. 25. Handel's "Overture to an Occasional Oratorio."
1891. Oct. 31. Richard Strauss's tone poem "Don Juan" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, A. Nikisch conducting.
1891. Nov. 3. American début of Adolf Brodsky, noted violinist, with the New York Symphony Society, in Brahms's concerto.
1891. Nov. 5. Liszt's symphonic poem "Hungaria" given at a concert of the Philharmonic Orchestra in the Tremont Theatre, Boston, with Bernhard Listemann as conductor.
1891. Nov. 13. American début of Ferruccio Busoni, pianist, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven's Fourth Concerto.
1891. Nov. 18. American début of Ignace Paderewski, noted Polish pianist, in Carnegie Hall, New York City.
1891. Nov. 21. Production of C. M. Loeffler's suite for violin and orchestra, "Les Viellées de l'Ukraine," by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1891. Nov. 29. Berlioz's "Le 5 Mai," for bass solo, chorus and orchestra given by the Cecilia Society in Boston.
1891. Dec. 8. Rimsky-Korsakof's second symphony "Antar"given by the Arion Society, New York City, F. van der Stucken, conductor.
1891. Dec. 14. American début of Jean (tenor) and Edouard (bass) de Reszke in "Roméo et Juliette" at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1891. Dec. 21. American début of Marie van Zandt, American soprano, asAminain "La Sonnambula" at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1891. Dec. 25. Reyer's opera "Sigurd" presented at the French Opera House, New Orleans, La.
1891. Dec. 26. Handel's Concerto in F major for strings and two wind instruments, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1891. Dec. 31. Chaikovsky's fantasia "Francesca da Rimini" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1891. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra established, with Theodore Thomas as conductor.
1892. Jan. 6. Litolff's overture to "King Lear" played at a Young People's Concert of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1892. Jan. 9. Strauss's tone poem "Tod und Verklärung" given by the Philharmonic Society, New York City, Theodore Thomas conducting.
1892. Jan. 10. Chadwick's "A Pastoral Prelude" produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1892. Jan. 15. American début of Jean Lasalle, noted French baritone, asNeluskoin "L'Africaine" at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1892. Jan. 29. P. Scharwenka's symphonic poem "Frühlingswogen" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Theodore Thomas conductor.
1892. Feb. 5. Max Bruch's Second Concerto for Violin given by the New York Symphony Society with Geraldine Morgan, soloist.
1892. Feb. 6. First recital of Vladimir de Pachmann, Russian pianist, at Chickering Hall, New York City.
1892. Feb. 13. Massenet's opera "Hérodiade" presented at the French Opera House, New Orleans. (Given in New York, Nov. 8, 1909, by Hammerstein.)
1892. Feb. 20. F. Busoni's Symphonic Suite (Op. 23), three movements, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1892. Feb. 27. A. Dvořák's Fourth Symphony (G major) and Borodin's "A Prairie Scene" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1892. April 1. R. Strauss's symphonic poem "Macbeth" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1892. April 16. Suite from G. Henschel's music to "Hamlet" played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the composer.
1892. May 5. G. W. Chadwick's cantata "Phoenix Expirans" produced at the Springfield, Mass., Festival.
1892. Aug. 1. John Philip Sousa, noted bandmaster, resigned from the Marine Corps, and organized his band, which gained a world-wide reputation.
1892. Aug. 27. Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, destroyed by fire.
1892. Oct. 21. A. Dvořák's "Carnival" and "Otello" overtures presented at a concert given under the auspices of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City, in honor of the composer's first appearance in America.
1892. Oct. 21. The music of Moritz Moszkowski's opera "Boabdil" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Also J. Strauss's waltz "Seid umschlungen Millionen."
1892. Oct. 22. Chaikovsky's suite "Le Casse-Noisette" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1892. Oct. 22. Saint-Saëns's Second Symphony (A minor) given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1892. Oct. 22. Production of J. K. Paine's "Columbus March and Hymn," and George W. Chadwick's "Columbian Ode," at the dedication of the Music Building at the World's Fair in Chicago, Ill., under Theodore Thomas.
1892. Nov. 11. Hamish McCunn's concert overture "The Land of the Mountain and Flood" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1892. Dec. 2. Cherubini's Overture given in New York City.
1892. Dec. 17. P. Gilson's symphonic sketches, "La Mer," given by the Philharmonic Society, New York City.
1892. Peoples' Choral Union organized in New York City, by Frank Damrosch.
1893. Jan. 4. Saint-Saëns's opera "Samson et Dalila" presented at the French Opera House, New Orleans, with Renaud and Madame Mounier in the leading parts.
1893. Jan. 24. Moritz Moszkowski's opera "Boabdil" presented at the Manhattan Opera House, New York.
1893. Jan. 31. P. Mascagni's opera "L'Amico Fritz" given its first complete stage performance in America by Walter Damrosch at Carnegie Hall, New York City. (A performance had been given June 8, 1892, by Gustav Heinrichs, in Philadelphia.)
1893. Feb. 3. Fuchs's Serenade for Strings and Two Horns given by the New York Symphony Society.
1893. Feb. 4. Arthur Foote's ballad "The Skeleton in Armor" for chorus, quartet and orchestra, produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1893. Mar. 4. G. Riemenschneider's "Tödtentanz" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1884. Feb. 3. Volkmann's Violoncello Concerto given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1893. Mar. 17. Edgar Tinel's oratorio "St. Francis d'Assisi" given by the Oratorio Society, New York City.
1893. April 8. Margaret Ruthven Lang's "Dramatic Overture" produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1893. April 15. F. Busoni's Symphonic Tone Poem produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1893. May 3. H. W. Parker's oratorio "Hora Novissima" produced by the Church Choral Society in New York City.
1893. June. Musorgsky's "Une Nuit sur le Mont Chauve" said to have been played in a series of Russian concerts at the World's Columbian Exposition (June 5-13) with V. T. Hlavac, conductor.
1893. June 6. Balakiref's Overture on Russian Themes given at the Chicago Exposition at a concert of Russian music, and on June 7, Glazunof's "Triumphal March."
1895. June 12. Arthur Bird's Third Orchestral Suite given at the Chicago (Ill.) Exposition.
1893. July 7. Harry Rowe Shelley's "Carnival Overture" produced at the Chicago Exposition, and on the 19th his suite "The Ruined Castle."
1893. July 29. Margaret Ruthven Lang's overture "Witches" produced at the Chicago Exposition.
1893. Aug. Bizet's opera, "The Pearl Fishers," given in English in Philadelphia.
1893. Nov. 16. Scholz's suite, "Wanderings," given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1893. Nov. 16. Gounod's opera "Philémon et Baucis" given in English by the Duff Opera Company, at Herrman's Theatre, New York City.
1893. Nov. 24. G. Charpentier's orchestral suite "Impressions d'Italie" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1893. Nov. 27. New Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, opened with a performance of "Faust," at which Pol Plançon, noted French basso, made his American début.
1893. Nov. 29. American début of Emma Calvé, noted French mezzo-soprano, asSantuzza, in "Cavalleria Rusticana" at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1893. Dec. 2. American début of Richard Burmeister, pianist, at Carnegie Hall, New York City, with the Damrosch Orchestra.
1893. Dec. 3. F. A. Lamond's overture "From the Highlands" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1893. Dec. 4. American début of Nellie Melba, great Australian soprano, in "Lucia di Lammermoor" at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1893. Dec. 5. First appearance in America of Josef Slivinski, Polish pianist, at a concert in Madison Square Hall, New York City.
1893. Dec. 9. Alberto Jonás, noted Spanish pianist, made his American début in Carnegie Hall, New York City.
1893. Dec. American début of Sigrid Arnoldson, soprano, in Gounod's opera "Philémon et Baucis," at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1893. Dec. 9. Sinding's First Symphony (D minor) given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1893. Dec. 15. Dvořák's symphony in E minor "From the New World" produced by the Philharmonic Society in New York City. (Played from MS.)
1893. Dec. 28. Sgambati's "Te Deum" performed in Chicago, Ill., under directorship of Theodore Thomas.
1893. Dec. 30. Chaikovsky's "1812" overture given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1893. Henri Marteau, violinist, made his first American concert tour.
1893. The Pittsburgh (Pa.) Symphony Orchestra organized under Frederick Archer.
1893. Emil Paur appointed conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1893-4. Abbey and Grau presented grand opera with a company which included as newcomers, Emma Calvé, Nellie Melba, Sigrid Arnoldson, Pol Plançon, Gurin, Dufriche and Vignas.
1894. Jan. 5. Dvořák's Concerto for Violin given by the New York City Symphony Society, with Henri Marteau as soloist.
1894. Jan. 27. Liszt's rhapsody "Espagnole" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1894. Feb. 3. Moszkowski's "Torchlight Dance" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1894. Feb. 3. Loeffler's "Concerto Fantastique" for Violoncello, produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and at the same concert d'Albert's overture to "Esther" was played for the first time in America.
1894. Feb. 7. Hartmann's overture "Nordische Meerfahrt," Bruch's "Romanza" (Opus 42), and Saint-Saëns's "Morceau de Concert," given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1894. Mar. 16. Chaikovsky's Sixth Symphony given by the Symphony Society in New York City, and Victor Herbert's Second Violoncello Concerto, with the composer as soloist.
1894. April 7. Hans von Bülow's "Funerale" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1894. April 20. Massenet's opera "Werther" given at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, with Eames, Arnoldson and Jean de Reszke in leading parts; Mancinelli conducting.
1894. April. Edgar Stillman Kelley's "Aladdin" and "A Chinese Suite for Orchestra," San Francisco, Cal.
1894. May 23. Goldmark's overture to "Sappho" given in Cincinnati, O., under Theodore Thomas.
1894. May 25. Second and third tableaux from Rubinstein's sacred opera "Moses," given by Theodore Thomas in Cincinnati, O.
1894. June 15. Leoncavallo's opera "I Pagliacci" presented in New York with Kronold, Montegriffo and Campanari.
1894. Aug. 29. Puccini's opera "Manon Lescaut" presented at the Grand Opera House, Philadelphia, with Selma Kronold and Montegriffo.
1894. Sept. 27. Handel's Concerto (No. 7, in B flat) for organ and orchestra given at the Worcester (Mass.) Festival, with William C. Carl as soloist.
1894. Oct. 19. G. W. Chadwick's Third Symphony (F major) produced by Boston Symphony Orchestra. (This work won the prize offered by the National Conservatory.)
1894. Oct. 30. American debut of César Thomson, noted Belgian violinist, at Carnegie Hall, New York City.
1894. Nov. 17. P. Benoit's Symphonic Poem for flute and orchestra given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1894. Nov. 25. American début of Eugen Ysaye, great Belgian violinist, in a concert at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1894. Dec. 7. Joachim's "Theme and Variations" for violin, given by the Symphony Society, New York City, with Eugen Ysaye as soloist.
1894. Dec. 17. Bemberg's opera "Elaine" (libretto by Paul Ferrier) presented at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, with Melba, Mantelli, J. and E. de Reszke, Plançon and Castelmary.
1894. Dec. 28. Goldmark's Scherzo (Op. 45) given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1894. Dec. 29. Henry Holden Huss's Pianoforte Concerto in B major produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, with the composer as soloist.
1895. Jan. 5. C. M. Loeffler's Divertimento in A minor, produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1895. Jan. 15. American début of Sybil Sanderson, Americansoprano, asManon, at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1895. Jan. 25. A. Mackenzie's nautical overture "Britannica" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1895. Feb. 4. Verdi's opera "Falstaff" presented at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, with Emma Eames, Zelie de Lussan, Scalchi, Campanari, and Maurel. Mancinelli conducting.
1895. Feb. 8. Cecile Chaminade's "Concertstücke," for orchestra, given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1895. Feb. 16. Gustav Strube's overture to "The Maid of Orleans" produced by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1895. Feb. 21. Howard LeGrand's oratorio "The Resurrection" given by the Church Choral Society, New York City.
1895. Feb. 22. Rheinberger's Concerto in G minor, for organ, given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1895. Feb. 28. Maurice Arnold's "American Plantation Dances" given by the American Symphony Orchestra, New York City.
1895. Mar. 1. American début of Johanna Gadski, soprano, asElsain "Lohengrin" at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1895. Mar. 23. Marschner's overture to "Hans Heiling," and Reinecke's entr'acte of "Der Gouverneur von Tours" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra; also R. Kahn's overture in C minor "Elegie" produced (from MS.). "Hans Heiling" played 1856. April 19. by the Philharmonic Society, New York.
1895. Mar. 30. H. Goetz's "Spring Overture"; Knorr's "Variations on an Ukraine Folk Song," and H. W. Parker's Rhapsody for baritone and orchestra, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1895. April 14. J. C. D. Parker's oratorio "The Life of Man" produced by the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston.
1895. Oct. 6. Humperdinck's opera "Hänsel und Gretel" given in English in New York City at Daly's Theatre, with Alice Gordon, Marie Elba, Louise Meisslinger, Jacques Bars, C. Brané and E. Johnson. A. Seidl, conductor.
1895. Oct. 19. Mozart's Andante and Variations in D minor given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1895. Oct. 25. Smetana's symphonic poem "Sarka," and Edward German's "Three Dances of the Time of Henry VIII," given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1895. Nov. 1. TheVorspielto R. Strauss's opera "Guntram" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1895. Nov. 1. Rameau's suite de ballet from "Acanthe et Céphise" and the Prelude to the third act of R. Strauss's opera "Guntram" given by the Symphony Society in New York City.
1895. Nov. Symphony Orchestra organized in San Francisco, Cal., with Fritz Scheel as conductor.
1895. Nov. 4. Paderewski's "Polish Fantasia" given at a concert in Carnegie Hall, New York City.
1895. Nov. 8. César Franck's symphonic poem "Les Sylphides," given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1895. Nov. 15. The ballet music from Massenet's opera "Thaïs," and Strauss's tone poem "Till Eulenspiegel," given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1895. Nov. 15. American début of Franz Ondriczek, violinist, at a concert of the Philharmonic Society, New York City, in Dvořák's A minor Concerto for violin.
1895. Nov. 29. American début of Giuseppe Cremonini, tenor, at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1895. Nov. 30. The Prelude to d'Albert's opera "Der Rubin" played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1895. Dec. 7. Reznicek's overture to the opera "Donna Diana" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1895. Dec. 11. Massenet's opera "La Navarraise" presented at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, with Emma Calvé in the title-rôle.
1895. Dec. 17. American début of Yvette Guilbert at Hammerstein's Music Hall, New York, N. Y.
1895. Willy Burmester, violinist, toured the United States.
1895. Alfred Reisenauer, pianist, first appeared in America.
1895. Cincinnati Orchestral Association founded, with Frank van der Stucken as conductor.
1895-6. German opera given in New York and several of the large cities by Walter Damrosch, with a company includingJohanna Gadski, Marie Brema, Rose Sucher, Rothmühl (tenor) and others.
1896. Jan. 4. Lalo's Suite "Namouna," given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1896. Jan. 23. Edward MacDowell's "Indian Suite" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1896. American début of Milka Ternina, soprano, asBrunnhildein "Die Walküre" in Boston.
1896. Feb. 7. Chaikovsky's First Symphony (G minor) given by the Philharmonic Society, New York City.
1896. Feb. 11. Stage production of Walter Damrosch's opera "The Scarlet Letter," at the Boston Theatre, Boston, Mass., with Gadski, Berthald and Mertens.
1896. Feb. 13. Scharwenka's opera "Mataswintha" given in concert form by the Manuscript Society in New York City.
1896. Feb. 22. H. Zöllner's orchestral fantasia "Midnight at Sedan" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1896. Mar. 21. "Three Hungarian Dances" by Brahms, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1896. April 4. Production of Gustav Strube's Symphony in C minor, by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1896. April 17. Handel's Concerto in F, for strings, given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and on the 24th Smetana's symphonic poem "Vysehrad."
1896. April 24. Henschel's "Stabat Mater" given by the Oratorio Society, New York City, conducted by the composer.
1896. Oct. 17. Bourgault-Ducoudray's "L'Interrement d'Ophélie" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1896. Oct. 23. Balakireff's symphonic poem "Thamar" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1896. Oct. 24. Chabrier's Overture to "Gwendoline" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1896. Oct. 31. Production of Mrs. H. H. A. Beach's "Gaelic Symphony" (from MS.) by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1896. Nov. 7. The "Sevilliana" from Massenet's opera "Don César de Bazan" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1896. Nov. 8. American début of Karl Halir, violinist, in Beethoven's Violin Concerto, with the Philharmonic Society, New York City.
1896. Nov. 13. Giordano's opera "Andrea Chénier" given at the Academy of Music, New York City, by Mapleson, with Bonaplato-Bau, Scalchi and Durot.
1896. Nov. 13. Smetana's symphonic poem "Richard III," Duparc's symphonic poem "Lenore," and Glazunof's "Oriental Rhapsody," given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1896. Nov. 21. The Intermezzo from Goldmark's opera "Das Heimchen am Herd" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1896. Nov. 24. American début of C. Gregorovitch, violinist, at Chickering Hall, New York City, with the American Symphony Orchestra.
1896. Dec. 11. Roentgen's "Ballad on a Norwegian Folk Song" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1896. Dec. 19. Dvořák's Violoncello Concerto in B minor, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Schroeder, soloist.
1896. Dec. 26. Selections from Gluck's ballet, "Don Juan," and from Humperdinck's opera "Königskinder," also Handel's First Overture, in D minor, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1896. American début of Jacques Bars, tenor, in "Hänsel und Gretel" at Daly's Theatre, New York City.
1896. Margaret Ruthven Lang's "Sappho's Prayer" produced in New York City.
1896. Los Angeles (Cal.) Symphony Orchestra organized.
1896. Martin Marsick, violinist, made his first tour in America.
1897. Jan. 1. Dvořák's tone poem "The Golden Spinning Wheel" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1897. Jan. 2. Smetana's symphonic poem "Wallenstein's Lager" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1897. Jan. 8. Rimsky-Korsakof's suite "Mlada" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1897. Jan. 16. Dittersdorf's Symphony in C major, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1897. Feb. 4. Dvořák's symphonic poem "The Water Fay" given at a concert of the Seidl Society at the Academy of Music, New York City.
1897. Feb. 5. R. Strauss's tone poem, "Also sprach Zarathustra," given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1897. Feb. 12. Massenet's opera "Le Cid" given at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, with Felia Litvinne, Clementine de Vere, J. Bars, J. de Reszke, Pol Plançon, J. Lasalle and E. de Reszke. Mancinelli conducting.
1897. Mar. 6. Arthur Whiting's Fantasy for pianoforte and orchestra in B flat minor, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1897. Mar 17. J. W. Glover's oratorio "St. Patrick at Tara" given at the Lexington Opera House, New York City.
1897. Mar. 24. Mozart's Symphony in A major given by the American Symphony Society in Chickering Hall, New York City. Sam Franko, conductor.
1897. April 3. Dvořák's Rondo for Violoncello (Op. 94) given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1897. April 17. Rimsky-Korsakof's symphonic suite "Scheherazade" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1897. June 25. H. R. Shelley's Symphony in E flat played at the Music Teachers National Association Convention in New York City.
1897. Sept. 22. Production of Gustav Strube's Violin Concerto (Op. 13) at the Worcester (Mass.) Festival, with F. Kneisel as soloist.
1897. Oct. 16. Glazunof's "Poème Lyrique" (Op. 42) given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1897. Oct. 23. Rimsky-Korsakof's overture on Russian church themes, "La Grand Paque Russe," and Gernsheim's Violin Concerto in D major, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1897. Oct. 29. Glazunof's Second Concert Waltz given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and on the 4th Nov. Glazunof's tableaux musicales "Printemps."
1897. Nov. 26. Chaikovsky's symphonic ballad "Voyvode" given by the Symphony Society in New York City.
1897. Dec. 3. Introduction to Act II of d'Albert's opera "Gernot," given by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Frederick Archer conductor.
1897. Dec. Production of Henry K. Hadley's First Symphony under direction of Anton Seidl, in New York City.
1897. Dec. 10. Raoul Pugno, French pianist, first appeared in the United States.
1897. Dec. 13. Massenet's opera "Le Portrait de Manon" given in French by the Society of Musical Arts, at the Astoria, New York City. Also C. Chaminade's ballet "Callirhoë," and on Dec. 21, an opera by V. Thompson and Aïme Lachaume, "In Old Japan," was produced.
1897-8. The Damrosch-Ellis Opera Company gave grand opera throughout the country with artists including Melba, Nordica, Gadski, soprani; van Cauteren and Mattfeld, contralti; Kraus, Salignac, Rothmühl and Ibos, tenors; Stehman, Fischer, and Boudouresque, basses.
1898. Jan. 7. Hugo Kaun's "Festival March and Hymn" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1898. Jan. 8. Siegfried Wagner's symphonic poem "Sehnsucht" given by the Philharmonic Society in New York City.
1898. Jan. 8. Production of C.M. Loeffler's dramatic poem, "La mort de Tintagiles" by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1898. Jan. 14. Hugo Kaun's Symphony in D minor given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1898. Jan. 15. Paganini's "Caprice" for violin, in A minor, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1898. Jan. 25. American début of Alexander Siloti, famous Russian pianist, as a concert given by Anton Seidl at the Astoria, New York City.
1898. Jan. 27. Production of Gustav Strube's overture for trumpets, horns, tuba and kettledrums, at a concert of the Apollo Club in Boston.
1898. Jan. 27. Dubois's Concerto for Violin, in D minor, given by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra with Henri Marteau as soloist.
1898. Jan. 29. César Franck's symphonic poem "The WildHuntsman" given at Cincinnati, O., by Theodore Thomas.
1898. Nov. 12. Chaikovsky's Second Pianoforte Concerto (G major) given by Philharmonic Society, New York. Alexander Siloti, soloist.
1898. Feb. 26. A. Goring Thomas's cantata "The Swan and the Skylark" given at a Seidl Concert in the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1898. Mar. 1. H. H. Huss's dramatic scene, "Cleopatra's Death," given by the Philharmonic Society, New York City, under A. Seidl.
1898. Mar. 5. Glazunof's Fifth Symphony (B flat major) given by the Philharmonic Society in New York City. A Seidl conductor.
1898. Mar. 7. Saint-Saëns's Fifth Pianoforte Concerto given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in New York City, with Raoul Pugno as soloist. Also César Franck's "Variations Symphoniques."
1898. Mar. Puccini's opera "La Bohème" presented in San Francisco, Cal., by the Royal Italian Opera Company. (Given by same company in New York, May 10.)
1898. April 7. F. Weingärtner's symphonic poem, "The Elysian Fields," given by the Philharmonic Society, New York City.
1898. Horatio Parker's oratorio "St. Christopher" given by the Oratorio Society, New York City.
1898. April 23. D'Indy's symphonic variations "Istar" given by Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Theodore Thomas, conductor.
1898. Oct. 22. Chausson's symphonic poem "Viviane," and Mackenzie's three dances for "The Little Minister" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1898. Nov. 7. American début of Ernestine Schumann-Heink, asOrtrudin "Lohengrin," in Chicago.
1898. Nov. 8. American début of Albert Saleza, tenor, asRomeo, in Chicago.
1898. Nov. 29. American début of Ernest van Dyck, asTannhäuser, at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1898. Dec. 3. First performance of Walter Damrosch's"Manilla Te Deum" given by the Oratorio Society of New York City.
1898. Dec. 14. American début of Anton van Rooy, asWotanin "Die Walküre" at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1898. Dec. 25. American début of Maud MacCarthy, violinist, at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1898. Borodin's Symphony in B minor first played in America by the Cincinnati Orchestra.
1898. Victor Herbert appointed conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
1899. Jan. 4. American début of Suzanne Adams, American soprano, at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1899. Jan. 7. R. Strauss's tone poem "Don Quixote," given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1899. Jan. 12. Gounod's opera "La Reine de Saba," presented at the French Opera House, New Orleans, La.
1899. Jan. 17. F. S. Converse's Symphony in D minor (first movement) given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1899. Jan. 17. Grieg's Symphonic Dances given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1899. Feb. 3. Hugo Kaun's overture "Der Maler von Antwerpen" given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1899. Feb. 7. American début of Albert Alvarez, French operatic tenor, asRomeo, in Boston, at the Boston Theatre.
1899. Feb. 8. American début of Lady Halle (Normann Neruda), noted violinist, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She played Spohr's Violin Concerto in C minor.
1899. Mar. 4. Chabrier's "Bourrée Fantastique" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1899. Mar. 10. Mancinelli's opera "Ero e Leandro" presented at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, conducted by the composer.
1899. Mar. 22. American début of E. Dohnanyi, Hungarian pianist, with Boston Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, New York City.
1899. Mar. 25. César Franck's oratorio "The Beatitudes" given by the Liederkranz Society of New York City.
1899. April. 15. César Franck's Symphony in D Minor given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1899. April 24. Perosi's oratorio "The Transfiguration of Christ" given by the Cecilia Society of Boston.
1899. Oct. 14. Arensky's Pianoforte Concerto in F minor, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra with Katherine Goodson as soloist.
1899. Oct. 20. Dvořák's tone poem, "The Wild Dove," given by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
1899. Oct. 21. Lalo's Violoncello Concerto in D minor, and Glazunof's Sixth Symphony (G minor) given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1899. Oct. The Society of American Musicians and Composers organized to succeed the MS. Society of New York City.
1899. Nov. 3. American début of Mark Hambourg, pianist, in Boston with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1899. Nov. 4. Siegfried Wagner's opera "Der Bärenhäuter," and W. Berger's Symphony in B flat major, given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1899. Nov. 17. American début of A. Petchnikof, violinist, with the Philharmonic Orchestra, New York City.
1899. Nov. 18. Dvořák's symphonic poem (Op. 111), "Pisen Bohatyrská" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1899. Dec. 9. F. Draeseke's "Jubel Overture" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1899. Dec. 23. American début of Antonio Scotti, noted baritone, asDon Giovanniat the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1899. Dec. 30. H. W. Parker's "Northern Ballad" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
The first decade of the twentieth century was noteworthy for the establishment of orchestras throughout the land. During the nineteenth century the development of the resources of the country and the increase of its wealth and population was phenomenal. In 1900 the population of the United States was about seventy-five millions. Chicago, which was practically non-existent in 1800, had a population of about two millions and was already a rival of New York. Railroads, unknown at the beginning of the nineteenth century, had covered the country with a network of communications and caused the growth of large cities in places far remote from the civilization of the year 1800.
We find Minneapolis establishing an orchestra in 1902, St. Paul in 1905, New Orleans in 1906, Seattle in 1908, while the Symphony Society of New York was reorganized in 1905, and a Russian Symphony orchestra established in New York City. The term "Symphony Orchestra" has been universally adopted, till we have symphony orchestras even in the moving picture houses. In Grove's Dictionary(edition of 1890) the only symphony orchestra mentioned is "the Boston Symphony Orchestra," though the "Symphony Society" of New York is also listed. It seems then that the term "symphony" applied to an orchestra is an American qualification signifying complete equipment, and at least good intentions.
During this period the New York Philharmonic Society adopted the plan, for three successive years, of engaging visiting, or guest conductors, and in this way a number of the most prominent European conductors were introduced to the American public.
A few American composers emerged, and of them the most frequently found were Frederick S. Converse and Henry K. Hadley, of whose works several were produced by the leading orchestras and opera companies.
The list of virtuosi is also long. Among pianists Harold Bauer and Ossip Gabrilovitsch appeared in 1900, and later came Rudolf Ganz, Josef Lhevinne, Katherine Goodson, and Serge Rachmaninof. Among violinists, Kubelik, Kocian, Hugo Heermann, Jacques Thibaud, Efrem Zimbalist and Arthur Spalding, only the last being of American birth.
The list of singers is long, and is chiefly associated with opera. Louise Homer, an American, made her début in 1900, and Geraldine Farrar, another American, in 1906. Among other noted singers we find, Lucienne Breval, Caruso, Fremstad, Tetrazzini, Bonci, Renaud, Chaliapin, Morena, Destinn,Mary Garden, John McCormack, Edouard Clément, and Slezak,—samples of many nationalities.
This brings us to the opera. Maurice Grau resigned from the directorship of the Metropolitan Opera House in 1903. Grau brought the star system to a climax, and gave opera with "all star casts," but few new operas were presented under his management. In 1903 Heinrich Conried succeeded to the management of the Metropolitan Opera House, and set himself to work to abolish the star system, as far as possible, and produce a good ensemble. The abolition of the star system proved an impossibility, because people had been fed upon it since the musical life of the country began, and New York audiences would not go to hear singers who had not already made European reputations. But Mr. Conried succeeded in producing many works new to the American public. Of these "Parsifal" stands forth conspicuously, though he found a competitor in Henry W. Savage, who produced "Parsifal" in English a few days in advance of Mr. Conried's production. This was followed in 1906 by Strauss's "Salome." Conried died in 1908 and was succeeded by the dual control of Signor Gatti-Casazza and Andreas Dippel, but Dippel soon resigned and went to Chicago, and from that date until the present (1922) Signor Gatti-Casazza has been sole manager of the Metropolitan Opera House.
In 1906 Oscar Hammerstein opened the Manhattan Opera House in New York City and instituteda strong rivalry with the Metropolitan. He brought to America some excellent singers and presented many works new to the American public. While the Metropolitan company gave more German than French or Italian opera, the Manhattan seemed to tend towards a preponderance of French opera. The rivalry was beneficial to the public if not to the stockholders.
We find during this period an opera, "The Pipe of Desire," by Frederick S. Converse, the first American opera to be presented at the Metropolitan Opera House. All the principals, with one exception, were also of American birth,—Louise Homer, Riccardo Martin, Clarence Whitehill and Herbert Witherspoon. The other principal was Lenora Sparks, an English singer.
The most notable feature of the decade seems to have been the spread of musical enterprise throughout the country. Distant cities were organizing choral societies and orchestras to a greater extent than ever before. It is necessary not only to develop composers, support a few fine orchestras and produce a few operas, but the nation must grow musically as a whole. The support given to musical enterprise depends on the education of the rising generation, and must begin with the schools.