Romantic Music & American History Timeline

By Vargasliliana

  • Beginning of the Romantic Era

    The political and economic atmosphere at the time heavily influenced this period, with many writers finding inspiration from the French Revolution. There was a lot of social change during this period.

  • Missouri Compromise

    In an effort to maintain the balance between free and slave states, Maine (formerly part of Massachusetts) is admitted as a free state so that Missouri can be admitted as a slave state; except for Missouri, slavery is prohibited in the Louisiana Purchase lands north of latitude 36°30'.

  • The Harmonica was invented by Friedrich Buschmann.

    Christian Friedrich Ludwig Buschmann as the inventor of the harmonica in 1821

  • Monroe Doctrine

    In his annual address to Congress, President Monroe declares that the American continents are henceforth off-limits for further colonization by European powers

  • Continental Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation, the first U.S. constitution.

  • Ludwig Van Beethoven died

    Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. Beethoven remains one of the most admired composers in the history of Western music; his works rank amongst the most performed of the classical music repertoire and span the transition from the Classical period to the Romantic era in classical music.

  • Felix Mendelssohn conducted the first modern performance of J.S. Bach's "St. Matthew Passion."

    Felix Mendelssohn performed Bach's St Matthew Passion in Bellin in 1829 and 1841: on 11 March 1829, the Passion was heard again for the first time in 100 years. This performance marked the rediscovery of Bach as a composer, and a revival of his works.

  • Vincenzo Bellini's opera, Norma, was first performed at La Scala in Milan.

    Norma is a tragedia lirica or opera in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini with libretto by Felice Romani after the play Norma, ou L'infanticide (Norma, or The Infanticide) by Alexandre Soumet. It was first produced at La Scala in Milan on 26 December 1831.

  • Frédéric Chopin performed his "Piano Concerto in F Minor" and the "Variations, opus 2" in Paris.

  • Texas declares its independence from Mexico

  • Harriet Tubman escapes from slavery and becomes one of the most effective and celebrated members of the Underground Railroad.

  • In New Orleans, Louisiana, the first opera house was opened.

  • Period: to

    Civil war

    Conflict between the North (the Union) and the South (the Confederacy) over the expansion of slavery into western states.

  • Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, defining citizenship

  • "Requiem" by Gabriel Fauré was first performed in Paris.

  • Hugo Riemann published his Musiklexikon; a study of musical harmony.

  • "Te Deum" by Anton Bruckner was first performed.

  • Treaty of Paris is signed, ending the Spanish-American War.

  • Giacomo Puccini's opera, "Tosca," premiered in Rome.

    Tosca, opera in three acts by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini (Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa) that premiered at the Costanzi Theatre in Rome on January 14, 1900.

  • End of the Romantic Era