Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1830

Death

:

1895

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

Harrison Millard was an American composer and musician who lived from 1830 to 1895. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and showed an early interest in music. His father was a music teacher, and Millard began studying the piano and violin at a young age. He also showed a talent for composition, and began writing his own music as a teenager. Millard's musical education continued at the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied under the renowned composer and conductor George Whitefield Chadwick. Millard was a gifted student, and quickly became known for his skill as a composer. He won several awards and prizes for his work, and was soon recognized as one of the most promising young composers in America. After completing his studies at the conservatory, Millard began a career as a composer and performer. He wrote music in a variety of genres, including opera, chamber music, and orchestral works. He also performed as a pianist and conductor, and was known for his skill and charisma on stage. One of Millard's most famous works is his opera "Lancelot and Elaine," which premiered in 1870. The opera is based on the story of Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere from Arthurian legend, and tells the tragic love story of Lancelot and Elaine. The opera was a critical and commercial success, and helped to establish Millard as one of the leading composers of his time. Millard also wrote a number of chamber music works, including several string quartets and piano trios. His chamber music is known for its lyrical melodies and rich harmonies, and is still performed and recorded today. In addition to his work as a composer, Millard was also a respected music critic and educator. He wrote for several music publications, including the Boston Musical Gazette and the New York Musical Review and Gazette. He also taught at several music schools and conservatories, including the New England Conservatory of Music and the Boston Academy of Music. Despite his success as a composer and musician, Millard struggled with personal and financial difficulties throughout his life. He suffered from depression and alcoholism, and was often in debt. He also had a difficult marriage, and his wife suffered from mental illness. Despite these challenges, Millard continued to write music and perform throughout his life. He remained a respected figure in the American music scene until his death in 1895. Today, he is remembered as one of the most important American composers of the 19th century, and his music continues to be performed and recorded by musicians around the world.

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