DAMROSCH, LEOPOLD

(1832-85)

   American musician, of Polish origin. Born in Posen, Prussia, he studied medicine but devoted himself to music. He initially was a violinist in small towns and spas. Later he began to conduct at small theatres; subsequently he became a violinist to the court orchestra at Weimar under Franz Liszt. In 1858 he became conductor of the Breslau Philharmonic Concerts and founded the Orchestral Society and Choral Union in Breslau. In 1871 he became a conductor of the Arion Male Choral Union in New York, and founded the Oratorio Society and the New York Symphony Society.