On last Wednesday evening, 15 years of research to shed light on a long-overlooked page of Boston’s rich history culminated with a gala reception and performances by the Rowe’s Lane Quartet of compositions of F. J. Haydn, Filippo Trajetta and George Onslow. The Commemorative Ceremony honoring the American Conservatorio of Boston, founded in 1800 by three immigrant musicians, Francis Mallet, Gottlieb Graupner and Filippo Trajetta, was celebrated courtesy of the Hyatt Regency Boston Hotel. A memorial plaque in recognition of this historic “first” conservatory of music in Boston and in the United States is installed on the Bedford Street facade of the Church Green Building, where Summer Street and Bedford Street converge.
As a second-generation Bostonian, I had always believed that New England Conservatory and Boston Conservatory were the “first” conservatories of music in Boston and in the United States (due to their founding date in 1867), but my belief of such “firsts” was being challenged in 1999 by what I read in a then-recently published book “The Italian Americans of Greater Boston,” Arcadia Publishing, Copyright 1999 by William P. Marchione, Ph.D. Chapter One, The Lure of Italy, has the following information: “Filippo Trajetta, a Venetian conductor and composer…established the first American conservatory of music in Boston.”
general contractor of Mazzuli-designed plaque.)
This simple statement of “fact” compelled me to embark on a research journey to “learn more.” It became a unique mission of mine to shed more light on a long-overlooked page of Boston’s rich history. This effort carries the title Civic Pride and Musicology Plaudit and it greatly pleases me to recognize and honor the founders of the American Conservatorio of Boston.
And the Conservatorio’s existence is now noted on Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_music_in_the_United_States_to_1819#1800
Comment by Bill — August 30, 2014 at 12:53 pm
Hello Terri,
Wonderful that you wrote this notice for BMINT. It was a wonderful event and Rowe’s Lane Quartet was honored to be there to play. We are grateful to you for including us in celebrating the American Conservatorio of Boston and informing Boston history-lovers and music-lovers about its founders!
-julie mckenzie
Comment by julia mckenzie — September 6, 2014 at 8:56 am
Hello Julie, et al Rowe’s Lane Quartet — sincere thanks for your Comment. Yes, for all Boston history lovers and music lovers alike, at last there is the bronze Memorial Plaque which attests to this important “cultural and historical breakthrough” — the founding in 1800 of the American Conservatorio of Boston by Messrs Mallet, Graupner and Trajetta — thanks to the Privitera Family Charitable Foundation, the benefactor of the Plaque. With the support and keen interest of this Boston History shared by the Hyatt Regency Boston, we offer thanks to them for the “Tri-Cultural” Commemoration on August 27, which was the “Topping Off” of 15 years of research and “hopefulness” — And, now, with you, the Rowe’s Lane Quartet — a 21st Century group bringing to life this “early 19th Century” legacy — this important “Another Boston Historical First” and another “UNITED STATES HISTORICAL FIRST” — the future is in good hands, with you, the Rowe’s Lane Quartet — how wonderful… teresa (terri) mazzulli
Comment by teresa mazzulli — September 8, 2014 at 3:58 pm