Article: Obituary of William Henry Fry
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Published
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8 January 2026
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19 Jan 1865Program Details
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1)
“Early in life Mr. Fry wrote several operas, symphonies, quartets, songs, &c., &c. They were the indications of a mind that turned itself naturally to all known modes of musical expression. In 1845 his opera of ‘Leonora’ (founded on Bulwer’s ‘Lady of Lyons’) was produced in Philadelphia. It was a success, and only six years ago it was revived here in an Italian form. Last year another work from his pen—‘Notre Dame de Paris’—was produced in Philadelphia with unequivocal marks of favor. It was, we believe, the latest work on which he was engaged. In the interval that elapsed between the production of these operas, Mr. Fry gave to the world several symphonies of novel form, some dramatic pieces, and a few quartets. The difficulties that surround an American composer are many and humiliating. Mr. Fry did not try to surmount them. He sought and found in politics and journalism a field for his brilliant abilities. As a writer on the New-York Tribune he has long been known and esteemed. He was, to a certain extent, the Hector Berlioz of the press. As a politician he was inflexible, and his speeches, although surcharged with wit and knowledge of human nature, were for this reason sometimes exasperating. During the campaign of 1860 Mr. Fry ‘stumped’ his native State for Mr. Lincoln; overtaxed his powers, and came back with a cough. It was evident that his lungs were affected, and for a time he thought of visiting Italy as a subordinate representative of the Government. The appointment was made, but for private reasons, Mr. Fry declined to accept it. He has struggled with the Destroyer for five long years and is now at rest.”