Many societies were founded at the beginning of this century for the cultivation of oratorios in cities like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Albany. Of these, the Boston Handel and Haydn society became the most prominent. and is to-day by many considered the leading organization of its kind in America. Between 1820-40 there were a number of oratorio societies in New York, such as the New York Sacred Musical Society; Euterpeon, etc., which produced The Messiah; The Creation; Mozart's requiem-masses, and the masterpieces of Haydn and Beethoven. At the pres ent time nearly every large city of the United States has a similar organization; but 'opera has not made a permanent home in any one place. The first representation of Italian opera was given in New York in 1825, and the troupe included Garcia, and his daughter Malibran. Since then Ullmann, Maretzek, Strakosch, Carl Rosa, Mapleson, and other managers have brought over European artists to give a season of opera in New York and all the large cities. Among singers who have been heard in this country are: M. W. Balfe (1834); John Braham (1840); Jenny Lind (1850); Teresa Parody (1850); Catherine Hayes (1851); Henrietta Sontag (1852); Marietta Alboni (1852); GrIsi and Mario (1854); Adelaide Philipps (1855); Brignoli (1855); Henrietta Eben (1856}; Carl Formes (1857); Pauline Colson (1858); Anna Bishop (1858); Adelina Patti (1859); Carlotta Patti (1861); and Parepa-Rosa (1866). Of operatic singers who have visited America in later years are: Christine Nilsson (1871); Pauline Lucca (1872); Campanini (1873); Capoul (1873); Bina de Mnrska (1873); Tamberlick (1873); Maurel (1873); Emma Albani (1874); Teresa 'Titiens (1875); Wachtel (1875); Atha de Belocca.(1976); .Minnie (1876); Mme. Pappenheim (1876); and Etelka Of American opera-singers, Clara Louis.
Kellogg and Annie Louise Cary have achieved considerable reputation; and mma Albani and Minnie lInuck, though classed by some as foreign singers, were born this country. English opera was given in this country as early as when an English troupe performed in Washington and Philadelphia. In 1818 the Phillips company came over and in 1820 Davis established an opera company in New Orleans. In 1821 Mrs. Holman brought a company to New York. In 1832 came the Woods, and Dunn and Haulson's company. The Seguins came in 1838, and after them the Pyne and Harrison troupe, Madam Bishop, and the Etchings opera-troupe. Since then many other com panies have been formed; but none have done more for the artistic success of English opera than Clara Louise Kellogg. Among the numerous who have petformed in America arc: Sigismond Thalberg (1856); Anton Rubinstein (1873); Hans von Below (1875); Annette Essipoff (1876); and Rafael Joseffy (1879). It would be diflictit to quote the number of excellent American pianists: Louis Moreau Gottschalk, who was born hi New Orleans in 1829, and played somewhat in the style of Chopin, was very much admired; and S. B. Mills is ranked as an excellent artist. There have also been a great number of violinists who have played in 'America—Henry Yieuxtemps (1843); Ole Bull (1844); Camillo Sivori (1846); Camilla Urso (1852); Heinrich Wisniawski (1872); Ronenyi (1878); August Wilhelmj (1878). Carl Bergmann, Theodore Thomas, Dr. Leopold Dam rosch, Harvey B. Dodworth, and P. S. Gilmore have won distinction as musical con ductors. Theodore Thomas established symphony concerts in New York, and finally organized his orchestra which has made him famous in this country and in Europe. The New York philharmonic society, under his leadership, introduces the highest class of music. Among composers who have made a reputation are: Karl Anschfitz, George Bristow, F. L. Ritter, Dudley Buck, S. P. Warren, LT. C. Bill, Henry C. Watson, A. Bagioli, J. Eichberg, Joseph Mosenthal, Nathan Richardson, Carlo Bassini, Richard Hoffmann, S. B. Mills, G. W. Morgan, Albert W. Berg. E. H. Wollenhaupt, and many others. Although America has not produced a single genius like Beethoven, Chopin, or Verdi, there is one line of composition that has been cultivated with great success, dis proving the statement that we are indebted to the foreign element of our population for the music we possess, for the songs that have become the most popular and arc endeared to the hearts of our people were composed by Americans. Stephen C. Foster acquired
the secret of translating the thoughts, feelings, and sympathies of every-day life into melody. The best-known of his songs is " Old Folks at Home," in which he hoped to rival "Home, Sweet Home," that has become the home-song of the world, and was written by an American author—John Howard Payne. Foster composed many songs which attained great popularity, such as "My Old Kentucky Home;" "Massa's in de. Cold, Cold Ground;" "Old Dog Tray;" "Willie, We Have Missed You;" "Ellen Bayne;" "Oh, Susanna;" and "Uncle Ned." All his songs had great pathos and freshness; but "Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming" was his most artistic composi tion. L. 0. Emerson composed "We Are Coming, Father Abraham ;" "Out In The Cold." Among his popular sacred songs are: "Stand Up For Jesus;" "Jesus Loves Me;" and his tunes to "Rock of Ages," and "Guide Me, 0 Thou Great Jehovah," are favorites. George F. Root is the author of the "Battle Cry of Freedom;" "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp;" "Hazel Dell;" and "There's Music In The Air." Harrison Millard composed " Viva ('America," and " Flag of the Free." He is also the author of many ballads, such as "Waiting;" "Under the Daisies;" "When the Tide Comes In;" and " Don't be Sorrowful, Darling." Henry C. Work composed the war songs ing through Georgia;" "Kingdom Coming;" "Wake, Nicodemus;" "Grafted into the Army;" "Babylon is Fallen; and " Song of a Thousand Years." He also wrote " Come Home, Father," a temperance song, and "My Grandfather's Clock," which, although of inferior merit, have become very popular. H. P. Danks has composed a large number of songs, of which "Silver Threads among the Gold" is the best known. Septimus Winner, whose nom de plume is Alice Hawthorne, wrote "What is Home without a Mother?" "Listen to the Mocking-Bird;" "I've Sailed the Seas Over; or the Song of Enoch Arden," and many others. J. R. Thomas wrote "The Cottage by the Sea;" "Happy he thy Dreams;" " Some One to Love;" and "'Tis but a little Faded Flower." Mathias Keller, composer of the "American Hymn," wrote "Mother, Oh Sing me to Rest,' and "Thine Image," which were very popular in their day.
Theodore Thomas, in a recent magazine article on the "Musical Possibilities of America," states: "The Americans are certainly a music-loving people. At present the musical standard of the American public, taken as a whole, must be pronounced a low one, though we rightly claim for this country a high rank in cultivation. The greater part of the church-music is a sort of patch-work—a little piece from this composer, and another piece from that—put together by an amateur. This low standard of church music is not owing to the want of competent organists, for we have many of ability; but rather to the fact that they arc hampered in their attempts to introduce better music. Recent years have also given us composers of undoubted merit. It is generally acknowl edged that we make the best pianos. Our organs are good, and our brass and iced instru ments are of a superior quality. But the most noteworthy fact of all is that we are mak ing the best violins. Some of the first living violinists claim that the violins made 1w George Gemunder are worthy to rank with those of the famous Italian makers, needink only age to prove their givat excellence, It will be seen that we have in this country the possibilities of a great musical future. We have the musical taste of the people for music, their strong desire to have the best, and their readiness to recognize what is best when it is presented to them. We have exceptional natural resources for the making of musical instruments. Nature has done her part of the work generously; it remains for us to do ours."