The New International Encyclopædia/Ritter, Frédéric Louis

RITTER, Frédéric Louis (1834-91). A German-American composer, born in Strassburg. He studied under Moritz, Hauser, and Schletterer. In 1856 he came to the United States, resided for some years in Cincinnati, where he founded the Cecilia and Philharmonic societies, and in 1861 removed to New York City and conducted the Sacred Harmonic and Arion societies. In 1867 he organized a musical festival, which he conducted in New York, and was soon after appointed professor of music at Vassar College, which post he held till his death. He published many songs, orchestral, church, and pianoforte music, and several musical works, including History of Music (1870-74), Music in England (1883), and Music in America (1883). He died in Antwerp.