Musical Life in Late Eighteenth Century Richmond

FOR ALMOST 200 years, Richmond has been a southern center of culture. The city's growth in cultural pursuits has been an integral part of our nation's development from post-Revolutionary days, through the era in which Richmond served as the Capitol of the Confederacy, to the present time. A history of music in that city is an important part of the history of music in our nation,1 and the early years are particularly fascinating. Whereas evidence of culture in Ithe colonial town is scant, music activities did develop rapidly in Richmond from the end of the American Revolution through the remainder of the eighteenth century. This article suggests the nature of the milieu which nurtured music in colonial Richmond and relates the beginnings and highlights of ensuing dearelopments of musical life in late eighteenth century Richmond. This is done by examining music presentations on public and social occasions -in the church, in the theatre, and at concerts and by illustrating the availability of music merchandise and music instruction to residents of the area

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