Pre-concert lecture: Legacy of Elise Hall

This lecture demonstrates how Elise Hall (1853–1924), a prominent wealthy socialite in Boston at the turn of the twentieth century, defied social norms by mastering the saxophone, an unconventional instrument for a woman of her time. Given the scarcity of saxophone repertoire at that time, Hall commissioned several works for the instrument including Charles Loeffler's Ballade Carnivalesque, which will be performed on tonight's program.  Despite her career's profound impact, Elise Hall remains relatively obscure in broader music communities. Her untiring work as an impresario, patron, and performer made a significant mark on the history of the instrument. Yet these contributions have been historically undervalued, largely due to gender bias.