Dates

• Existence: June 21, 1786 - October 12, 1849

Biography

Charles E. Horn was born June 21, 1786 in London to Karl Friedrich Horn and Dian Dupont. He received his early musical education from his father, who was an organist and composer. He also studied under Venanzio Rauzzini, and Thomas Welsh. As he commenced his musical career, Horn began playing the double bass, and the violoncello, but he also became a singer and composer. As a singer, Horn appeared in various operas, but his first public performance was in 1809 at the Lyceum Theatre. In 1827, Horn left his native homeland and traveled to New York.

While living in New York, Horn continued to perform and present various works, such as, The Siege of Belgrade, The Devil’s Bridge, Le nozze di Figaro, La Cenerentola, and Die Zauberflote. In the five years that elapsed, Horn established himself and became the new musical director of the Park Theatre, in New York. In addition, to his work as a composer, arranger, performer, and director, Charles E. Horn and W.J. Davis established a music publishing company (ca.1837), and he was also one of the founders of the New York Philharmonic Society, which was founded in 1842. He also traveled between London and New York in 1830 and 1843, but he returned in 1847 and settled in Boston, where he became the conductor at the Handel and Haydn Society.

He was married twice during his life time, first marriage was to Matilda Ray, and second marriage was to Maria Horton. His first marriage to Matilda Ray produced a son also named Charles E. Horn.

Charles E. Horn died October 21, 1849 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Source: Sadie, Stanley, and John Tyrrell, eds. New Grove Dictionary of Music & Musicians. 2nd ed. New York: Grove, 2001.

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