Damrosch

(dam'-rosh), Leopold, condr b. Posen, Oct. 22, 1832; a. New York, Feb, 15, 1885. Took degree 78 DANA of M.D. at Berlin Univ., but did not practise; pupil of Ries, Dehn, and Bohmer; appeared as solo vlt. Magdeburg 1855; leading vlt. at Weimar 1855-59, where he became intimate with Liszt and Wagner, and where he married singer Helene von Heimburg; 1859-60 condr. Breslau Philh.; toured with Von Bulow and Tausig; 1871 called to N. Y. to conduct Arion Soc organized Oratorio Soc. and Symphony Soc.; conducted Philharmonic 1876-77; conducted first Mus. Festival N. Y. 1881; toured West 1883; established and conducted season of German opera at Metropolitan; his wonderful organizing powers and keen interest in newer music inspired and encouraged music m N. Y. His son Frank also condr. b. Breslau, June 22, 1859. Pupil of his father, Pruckner, Moszkowski, etc.; condr. Denver Chorus Club 1882-85; chorusmaster at Metropolitan 1885-91; condr. of Mus. Art Soc and many other organizations; 1892 organized People’s Singing Cla es, for instruction of wage earners in sight and chorus singing, an institution which has been extremely succe ful. Now director of Institute of Musical Art, N. Y. His brother Walter Johannes, condr., compr. b. Breslau, Jan. 30, 1862. Studied with his father, Draeseke, and Von Bulow; a t, condr. Metropolitan under father and Seidl; condr. Oratorio and Symph. Soc.; 1894 organized Damrosch Opera Co., which gave German opera throughout U S. until 1899; condr. Metropolitan 1900-1902; Philh. 1902-03; New York Symphony Orchestra; composed opera The Scarlet Letter one of few American operas actually produced (Boston, 1896).