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Article: Music played a notable part in Lincoln's life.(Saturday)(The Civil War)
- Article from:
- The Washington Times (Washington, DC)
- Article date:
- March 22, 1997
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1997 News World Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Abraham Lincoln was perhaps the American president with the greatest love of music.
Although Lincoln never studied music, as president he probably heard more than any other occupant of the White House. While president, he went to the theater at every possible opportunity to hear operas and musical concerts. He is the only American president to have had an opera performed at his inaugural celebration.
Lincoln was almost childish in his enjoyment of minstrel shows, the 19th-century musical stage shows that were precursors of vaudeville and Broadway's musical theater. He would neglect business or pass up a chance at almost any other entertainment to ...