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Show THEODORE THOMAS DEAD. Noted Orchestra Leader Passed Away at Chicago. Chicago. Jan. 4. Theodore Thomas, the noted orchestra leader, died of pneumonia at his residence here early today. He was 70 years of age. Theodore Thomas, who was the son of an exoert vio!inist. was born at Esens. Hanover, Germany. October 11. 1835. In 1V45 his parents brought him to j the United States, settling in New York I City. Even at-this early age the boy j had creat?fl ft 11 impression as a violin- i."t. A concert trip thro ugh the south-; south-; ern cities in 1851 proved such a success ! that when Mr. Thomas returned to New j York he became one of the first violins I in concert and operatic performances j during the engagements in America of Jenny Lind. Sontag. Grisi and other great opera singers. The real beginning begin-ning in Mr. Thomas' musical career ivss through a series of concerts at New York during the years intervening between 1855 and 1S72. In 1861 Mr. Thomas' first symphony eoncerts were given at N?w York, and these were continued until he left that city in 1878 to take charge of the college of music at Cincinnati. He remained in Ohio for two years, then returning directly to New York. He was elected conductor of the New York Philharmonic society in 1S79. and this position he held until he left New York In 1891. In 18S3 Mr. Thomas and orchestra made a tour from New York to Snn Francisco, appearing ap-pearing at all of the principal cities en route. Upon his return to New York Mr. Thomas conceived, the idea ef a j permanent orchestra in that city, but I after seven years of endeavor, he came ! to the conclusion that Chicago would I be a better place for his future work. I He went there in 1S51 and formed the Chicago Orchestra association. On December De-cember 15, last year. Orchestral hall, the permanent home cf the Chicago orchestra, orches-tra, built at a cost of more than $s00,-000. $s00,-000. was formally dedicated. It a monument that bears witness to the untiring efforts of the dead musician. |