1838. Philharmonic Society formed in St. Louis.
1838. The Sacred Music Society of New York City, gave a performance of Mendelssohn's oratorio "St. Paul," two years after it had been produced at Dusseldorf.
1838. June. 18. Donizetti's opera "L'Elisir d'Amore" presented at the Park Theatre, New York City, with Madame Caradori-Allan, Placide, Morley, Macklin and Jones.
1838. Mr. and Mrs. Seguin, noted singers, arrived in New York City and organized an English Opera Company, which traveled extensively till 1847.
1838. Music first taught in the public schools in Boston by Lowell Mason.
1839. April 29. Meyerbeer's opera "Les Huguenots" presented in New Orleans.
1839. The first Musical Convention held in Montpelier, Vt., under the direction of G. S. Prouty and Moses E. Cheney.
1839. Sept. 9. Beethoven's opera "Fidelio" presented in English at the Park Theatre, New York City, with Miss Poole, Giubelei, Manvers and Martyn.
1839-1906. John Knowles Paine. American composer. First professor of music at Harvard University. Appointed in 1876 (instructor 1872).
1839-1909. Dudley Buck. Noted musician. First American composer to gain general recognition.