psfield, Mass.,) published
his "Rural Harmony."

1793. A company of French players reached America from San
Domingo, remaining three years. They played in Norfolk, Va., in
1793, Charleston, S. C., 1794, Richmond, Va., 1795, Boston, Jan.
1796, and Philadelphia, Dec. 1796.

1793. A "Cecilia Society" was in existence at this time in
Newport, R. I.

1794. Paisiello's opera "The Barber of Seville" (English version)
was played in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and
elsewhere.

1794. Mrs. Oldmixon, a noted singer, made her first appearance in
America at the Chestnut St. Theatre, Philadelphia, in "Robin
Hood."

1796. April 18. "The Archers of Switzerland," an opera by B. Carr,
produced in New York City. It is claimed by some authorities
that this was the first American opera.

1796. July. Gluck's overture to "Iphegenie en Aulide," and Haydn's
"Stabat Mater," given in Charleston, S. C., with an orchestra of
about thirty instruments. Mrs. Pownall, J. H. Harris and Mr.
Bergman, soloists.

1796. Dec. 19. Production in New York City of "Edwin and
Angelina," music by Pellesier. Also said to be the first opera
of American composition. (Carr was English, Pellesier French.)

1797. Anniversary meeting of the Concord (N. H.) Musical Society.

1797. Jan. 25. First recorded performance in America of Gretry's
opera, "Richard Coeur de Lion," given at the Federal St.
Theatre, Boston.

1798. Columbia Garden Summer Concerts established in New York.
Lasted till 1800.

1798. Concerts are on record as having been given at Albany, N.
Y., April 18; New Brunswick, N. J., Dec. 11; Trenton, N. J.,
Dec. 18; also an interesting group in Salem, Mass., by Gottlieb
Graupner.

1798. Jan. 29. Park Theatre opened in New York City with a
performance of a musical piece entitled "The Purse,--or American
Tar." This theatre was, for twenty years, important in local
musical history.

1798. April 25. First public performance of "Hail Columbia" by
Gilbert Fox in Philadelphia. The words were written by Joseph
Hopkinson Smith (1770-1842) and sung to the tune of "The
President's March." First sung under the title of "Federal
Song" but changed a few days later to "Hail Columbia."

1799. A "Musical Society" existed in Baltimore.

1799. "Euterpean Society" formed in New York City.

1799. "The Vintag