Photo of Musikverein Chorus

Photo of Musikverein Orchestra, Alex Ernestinoff conducting

THE MUSIKVEREIN

When the Maennerchor did not accept the invitation to join in the German House, a competing musical group was founded called the Musikverein (Music Society). This society, organized in 1897, consisted of three distinct ensembles: a sixty-piece orchestra, a male chorus, and a mixed chorus. Alexander Ernestinoff left his second directorship of the Maennerchor, 1896-1897, to accept the leadership of the new Musikverein. . . . The Musikverein, beginning in 1910, gave the light operas The Mikado, Martha, and Chimes of Normandy, and excerpts from Carmen, Faust, and Samson and Delilah.