The object of this book is to give as complete a record as possible of the beginning and progress of music in the United States of America. The first things recorded are regarded as important. Hence such items as the printing of the first book on music, the importation of the first pipe organs, the establishment of the early musical societies are recorded, while similar events of a more recent date are of no special importance. The first performance of significant works—operas, oratorios, sympho

The Annals of Music in America during the first hundred years contain very little that would seem to be of any importance to the musicians of today. Nevertheless it is as interesting to note the beginnings of music in this newly settled country as to watch the appearance of the baby's first tooth. The first settlement at Plymouth took place in 1620, and we find that in 1640 the colonists were already busy with the printing press in Cambridge, Mass., and the second book which came from the press

The first item of especial interest in this period is the performance of the "Beggar's Opera" at the "Theatre in Nassau Street," New York. This theatre was a rather tumbledown affair and was not built for the purpose. It had a platform and rough benches. The chandelier was a barrel hoop through which several nails were driven, and on these nails were impaled candles, which provided all the light, and from which the tallow was likely to drip on the heads of such of the audience as had the best se

In 1800 we find the first mention of the use of the bassoon. This was in Bethlehem, Pa., and it seems to complete the list of instruments for the average orchestra. Notwithstanding the record of the importation of oboes, many years earlier, and the fact that Graupner, one of the leading musicians in Boston about this time, was, or had been an oboeist, some historian has stated that even well into the nineteenth century there was only one oboe player in the United States, and he lived in Baltimor

During these twenty-five years the list of items on record is far greater than during any preceding period of similar time. Possibly this may be accounted for by the greater facilities for travel both by sea and land. Railroads were gradually spreading out through the country, and helping to develop distant trading stations into towns and cities. Steamships were making the voyage from Europe a more feasible adventure. We shall see this as we proceed. In what we may call the domestic side of musi

During this period musical events moved forward quite rapidly, and though there was a pause during the years of the Civil War—from 1861 to 1865—after that time increasing energy was in evidence. Possibly one of the most significant events was the establishment of "Dwight's Journal of Music," in Boston, the first journal in America devoted entirely to musical matters. It was published every two weeks, and while the greater part of the space was devoted to musical affairs in Europe, yet there were

The period of fifteen years from 1875 to 1890 was most certainly a period of progress. Not only was the country growing rapidly in population and wealth, but means of communication were much greater and more efficient than in the preceding years. The present writer well remembers a journey from San Francisco to St. Louis, and on to Boston in 1878, when there was one single track railroad between Oakland and Omaha. Cheyenne consisted of two rows of primitive looking wooden houses, behind which we

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 th

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 t

BALLAD OPERAS, ETC. 1733. "Hob in the Well." Charleston, S. C. 1750. April 30. "The Mock Doctor." New York, N. Y. 1750. Dec. 3. "The Beggar's Opera." New York, N. Y. 1757. "The Masque of Alfred." Philadelphia, Pa. 1770. "The Masque of Comus." Philadelphia, Pa. 1787. "The Duenna." Philadelphia, Pa. 1787. "The Maid of the Mill." Philadelphia, Pa. 1790. June 14. "The Mistress and Maid." Baltimore, Md. 1790. Oct. 7. "Le Tonnelier." New York, N. Y. 1790-1800. Various French Operas. New Orleans, La. 1