San Francisco County
Biographies
Rudolph Herold,
a pioneer musician of the Pacific coast, and an honored citizen of San Francisco
for nearly forty years, was born in the province of Saxony, Prussia, in 1831,
where he was also reared and educated.
At an early age he developed musical talent and began taking lessons,
and afterward entered the Leipsic Conservatory of Music, where he pursued his
studies under the gifted Mendelssohn and Moscheles and other eminent
teachers. Upon reaching manhood he came
to the United States, and the following year to the Pacific coast, with the
Catherine Hayes’ Opera Troupe. He
decided to remain here, believing the prospects in the musical profession would
be more permanent than following the uncertain fortunes of an operatic
company. After coming here he was
prominently identified with all the musical events of the future
metropolis. The Italian opera, given at
the old Metropolitan theater under Segnore Bianchi, was conducted by Mr.
Herold, and also the management of the grand concert in 1870, to aid in
liquidating the debt on the Mercantile Library, was entrusted to him, in
company with Camilla Urso. In 1871 Mr.
Herold went to Europe to make an extended tour, and was stricken with
paralysis, but recovered in 1876 and resumed his famous popular matinees, which
he continued until 1883. Among all the
leading musicians he was recognized as a master, and was justly popular in the
profession. He collected a magnificent
library at a great expense, comprising many rare works of great value. His death occurred in July, 1888, mourned by
a large circle of friends, and leaving a widow and four sons, three of whom
adopted the musical profession, and all were born in this city. Rudolph is at the head of an insurance
business in this city; Oscar is now in Honolulu; Roderick is engaged in the
musical profession, and Hugo is now pursuing his studies in Italy.
Roderick, the
third son, has inherited the musical talent of his father in a marked degree,
and has taken a prominent position in the profession. He was reared and received his education in
this city, early developing talent for music, and under his father’s teaching
enjoyed unusual opportunities. He and
his brother Oscar went to Europe, where they pursued their musical studies in
Stuttgart and Paris, and after their return Roderick engaged in teaching. He has appeared in public a number of times,
acquitting himself with credit, and receiving favorable notice from the
profession and the press.
Transcribed by Donna L. Becker.
Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2,
pages 79-80, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
© 2005 Donna L. Becker.