American Orchestras in the Nineteenth Century

In nineteenth-century America, concert life was more diverse than large orchestras and included opera excerpts, instrumental showpieces, comic numbers, and patriotic tunes. This book investigates the many orchestras and programs that developed, considering audiences, entrepreneurs, concert arrangements, tours, and musicians unions. It also shows a massive influx of immigrant performers, the increasing ability of orchestras to travel, and the rising influence of women as listeners, patrons, and players.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 504 pages
\n Publication date: 22 December 2020
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
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Studies of concert life in nineteenth-century America have often focused solely on large orchestras and the programs we are familiar with today. However, as this book reveals, audiences of that era enjoyed far more diverse musical experiences than this narrow perspective suggests. In order to hear an orchestra, people were more likely to visit a beer garden, restaurant, or summer resort than a concert hall. What they heard was not limited to symphonic works alone; programs also included opera excerpts, instrumental showpieces, comic numbers, and medleys of patriotic tunes. This book brings together musicologists and historians to explore the numerous orchestras and programs that emerged in nineteenth-century America. In addition to examining the music that orchestras played and the socioeconomic factors involved in building and sustaining orchestras, the book considers a wide range of topics, including audiences, entrepreneurs, concert arrangements, tours, and musicians' unions. The authors also demonstrate that the period witnessed a significant influx of immigrant performers, the increasing ability of orchestras to travel across the nation, and the growing influence of women as listeners, patrons, and players. By painting a rich and detailed picture of nineteenth-century concert life, this collection will greatly expand our understanding of America's musical history.

\n Weight: 754g\n
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 33 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226756059\n \n