1899. Dec. 9. F. Draeseke's "Jubel Overture" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1899. Dec. 23. American début of Antonio Scotti, noted baritone, as Don Giovanni at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City.
1899. Dec. 30. H. W. Parker's "Northern Ballad" given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
CHAPTER VIII
1900
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.