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Artist
William Henry Fry
12+ albums
american classicalClassicalAlloperaromantic period
about
William Henry Fry (1813–1864) was a pioneering American composer, music critic, and journalist. Fry was the first person born in the United States to write for a large symphony orchestra, and the first to compose a publicly performed opera. He was also the first music critic for a major American newspaper. And he was the first person to insist that his fellow countrymen support American-made music. William Henry Fry was born on August 10, 1813 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father, William Fry, was a prominent printer and, along with Roberts Vaux and Robert Walsh, ran the National Gazette and Literary Register, a major American newspaper at the time. William Henry had four brothers -- Joseph Reese, Edward Plunket, Charles, and Horace Fry. He was educated at what is now Mt. St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. After returning to Philadelphia to work for his father, he studied composition with Leopold Meignen, a former band leader in Napoleon Bonaparte's army and the music director of the Musical Fund Society orchestra. He eventually became secretary of the Musical Fund Society. Fry's operatic compositions include Aurelia the Vestal, Leonora, and Notre-Dame of Paris. Leonora was a very successful production at its premiere in 1845 and second run the following year. Leonora is also significant as it was the first grand opera written by an American composer. After a six-year sojourn in Europe (1846–52), where he served as foreign correspondent to the Philadelphi
top songs
albums
FRY: Santa Claus Symphony / Niagara Symphony
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The Story Of American Classical Music
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Story Of American Classical Music (The)
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American Classics Sampler
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Santa Claus Symphony / Niagara Symphony
Santa Claus Symphony
The Wind Demon: 19th Century Piano Works
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Fry: Santa Claus Symphony
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Santa Claus Symphony etc. (Royal Scottish NO, Rowe)
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Fry: Santa Claus Symphony, Niagara Symphony
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American Classics: Santa Claus Symphony
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Santa Claus Symphony / Niagara Symphony (Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Tony Rowe)