[Arthur Lawrence, Sir Arthur Sullivan Life Story, Letters and Reminiscences, Herbert S. Stone & Company, 1899, reprinted Kessinger Publishing 2009, quotes from Sir Arthur’s correspondence c1899] “I found America in ‘79 very much what England probably was sixty years ago. Away from the more intellectual centres one would have described the disposition and attitude of mind of the American people as being ‘provincial.’ I am speaking of America twenty years ago, and of course that nation has made great strides since that time. It was a significant and unpleasant fact that all artists were looked at askance.
An artist had no social position at all in New York, and I think this especially applied to the musician. It is hardly worth while mentioning it now, perhaps, as American views on the subject have changed so completely, but as an instance of what I mean, I remember that, on one occasion, having accepted an invitation to dine one night at one of the best houses in New York, there was one vacant chair. It should have been occupied by a woman who was noted for her good looks and her good social position.
I afterwards discovered that her husband had prevailed upon her not to dine with us, as there was a distinguished Professor of Music with us. He thought it was so curious that she should be asked to sit down to the same table with a musician! If I remember rightly, he was a prosperous watchmaker in Broadway. Music in America in ’79 was in a very backward state in many important respects. When I went over there in ’85 a great change had taken place, and everywhere much greater consideration was shown to music – and to musicians.”[152f]
