Annals of Music in America: A Chronological Record of Significant Musical Events

by Henry Charles Lahee

1855. Feb. 13. American début of Madame F. Vestvali, as Arsace at the Metropolitan Theatre, New York City, with Grisi and Mario.

1855. Feb. 17. Haydn's Fifth Symphony given by the Musical Fund Society, Boston, and together with the Handel and Haydn Society, C. C. Perkins's "The Pilgrims' Cantata."

1855. Mar. 12. American début of Luigi Brignoli, Italian operatic tenor, as Edgardo in "Lucia di Lammermoor" supported by Vestvali, Amodio and Rocco,—in New York City.

1855. April 30. Verdi's opera "Il Trovatore" presented in New York City, with Vestvali, Steffanone, Brignoli and Amodio, at the Academy of Music.

1855. May 8. American début of Madame Anna de la Grange in "Il Barbiere" at the Academy of Music, New York City.

1855. Sept. 27. Production of George Bristow's opera "Rip van Winkle" at Niblo's Garden, New York City, by the Pyne and Harrison Opera Company.

1855. Oct. 1. American début of Madame Nantier-Didiér as Arsace in "Semiramide" at the Academy of Music, New York City.

1855. Oct. 6. The first attempt at German opera made in New York City, at Niblo's Garden, under Julius Ungher. "Der Freyschütz," "Martha," "Masaniello," and "Czar und Zimmerman" were presented by a company including Carolina Lehman, Madame d'Ormy, Madame Seidenberg, Schraubstadter, Quint and Vineke.

1855. Oct. 30. Rossini's opera "Semiramide" presented by Maretzek at the Academy of Music, New York City.

1855. Nov. 18. Handel's oratorio "Solomon" given by the Handel and Haydn Society, Boston.