Herbert, Victor (1859–1924)

Irish-born US conductor and composer. In 1893 he became conductor of the 22nd Regiment Band, also composing light operettas for the New York stage. He was conductor of the Pittsburgh Philharmonic 1898–1904, returning to New York to help found the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) in 1914.

The second of his two cello concertos, written in 1894, inspired Dvořák to write his own cello concerto.

Born in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Herbert trained as a cellist at the Stuttgart Conservatory, and began his professional musical career in Vienna, Austria. He emigrated to the USA in 1886 and played with the New York Metropolitan Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra.

Works Opera Natoma (1911), Madeleine (1914); operettas The Wizard of the Nile (1895), Babes in Toyland (1903), and over 30 others.

Orchestral symphonic poem Hero and Leander (1901) and three suites for orchestra.

Chamber Serenade for strings.

Vocal dramatic cantata The Captive (1891); songs.