Julius Eichberg collection, 1864-2008

Jewish German-born composer, musical director, violinist, and educator Julius Eichberg (1824-1893) was trained in the European conservatory tradition in Brussels, Belgium, and emigrated to the United States in 1857, settling in Boston in 1859, where he was the chef d’orchestre for the Boston Museum. On February 11, 1867, Eichberg founded and directed the Boston Conservatory of Music, which he led for 25 years until his death in 1893. Also in 1867, Eichberg was elected superintendent of music in the Boston Public Schools and held that position for decades. As president, Eichberg established the Conservatory’s curriculum, taught courses, composed, arranged, and conducted music, and hosted most performances.

Under Eichberg, the Boston Conservatory was one of the first to grant admission to African Americans and women. In 1878, Eichberg formed The Eichberg Quartet, the first ever professional all-female string quartet; members included Lillian Shattuck (violin), Lillian Chandler (violin), Abbie Shepardson (viola), and Lettie Launder (cello). Cornet prodigy Perry George “P.G.” Lowery is believed to be the first African American to complete training at the Conservatory, having received a scholarship from Eichberg in the late 1880s.

Eichberg’s comic opera The Doctor of Alcantara was first composed in 1862. In 1873, the piece was the first fully-staged opera performed by the Colored American Opera Company, the nation’s first African American opera company. Following Eichberg’s death, his family allowed the use of the work as a fundraising tool for Boston youth programs.

(adapted from 150 Stories, ed. Di Cocco, Boston: 2017)