Musician. American orchestra leader, violinist and the first American-born conductor of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. It was largely through Franko's efforts to make good music popular by performing al fresco did NYC and the Metropolitan Opera begin the habit of performing free outdoor performances. Nahan ('NAY-an') Franko made his debut in 1869 at the age of 8 at Steinway Hall and subsequently toured the world with Adelina Patti as a child prodigy. After studying with Joachim and Wilhelmj in Berlin, he returned home and played with various orchestras (including the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra as a teenager), becoming concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in 1883, a position he retained until 1907. On November 30, 1904, he made his debut as conductor with the company in its production of Le Nozze di Figaro. He conducted 68 performances at the Met and 33 performances with the company elsewhere. He conducted approximately 67 opera performances and 9 dance works. The remaining were Metropolitan concerts. In 1908 he started his own orchestra and led open-air concerts in Central Park. Nahan continued public and private performances with his orchestra for nearly two decades. Thrice married, Franko's first wife was Edith Edwards whom he wed and divorced at a young age. In 1895 he married Cornelia Anna Ruppert and became her widower in 1896. Cornelia Anna Ruppert-Franko was the sister of Hon. Col. Jacob Ruppert, Jr., famous beer brewer and Congressman from New York City and original owner of the New York Yankees. Franko's widow was German actress Anna Braga whom he married in 1899. At 68, Nahan Franko died of a blood clot after suffering a stroke. His pallbearers included Theodore Steinway and John Philip Sousa.
Musician. American orchestra leader, violinist and the first American-born conductor of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. It was largely through Franko's efforts to make good music popular by performing al fresco did NYC and the Metropolitan Opera begin the habit of performing free outdoor performances. Nahan ('NAY-an') Franko made his debut in 1869 at the age of 8 at Steinway Hall and subsequently toured the world with Adelina Patti as a child prodigy. After studying with Joachim and Wilhelmj in Berlin, he returned home and played with various orchestras (including the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra as a teenager), becoming concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in 1883, a position he retained until 1907. On November 30, 1904, he made his debut as conductor with the company in its production of Le Nozze di Figaro. He conducted 68 performances at the Met and 33 performances with the company elsewhere. He conducted approximately 67 opera performances and 9 dance works. The remaining were Metropolitan concerts. In 1908 he started his own orchestra and led open-air concerts in Central Park. Nahan continued public and private performances with his orchestra for nearly two decades. Thrice married, Franko's first wife was Edith Edwards whom he wed and divorced at a young age. In 1895 he married Cornelia Anna Ruppert and became her widower in 1896. Cornelia Anna Ruppert-Franko was the sister of Hon. Col. Jacob Ruppert, Jr., famous beer brewer and Congressman from New York City and original owner of the New York Yankees. Franko's widow was German actress Anna Braga whom he married in 1899. At 68, Nahan Franko died of a blood clot after suffering a stroke. His pallbearers included Theodore Steinway and John Philip Sousa.
Bio by: K. Jacob Ruppert
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