National Symphony Orchestra (Dominican Republic)
The National Symphony Orchestra was officially created on August 5, 1941. Nevertheless, its history can be traced to the beginning of the 20th century, when under the initiative of Juan Bautista Alfonseca, the Octet of the Youth Casino was founded in Santo Domingo.
Wetzler Symphony Orchestra
Wetzler, who studied at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt, settled in New York City for a time, forming the symphony orchestra in 1903. Wetzler invited Richard Strauss to the city to conduct his orchestra in a "Strauss Festival", which would include most of his symphonic works. Strauss and Wetzler conducted this orchestra in this concert series beginning on February 27, 1904 in Carnegie Hall. This series included Strauss conducting the premiere of his "Symphonia Domestica" on March 21. Strauss required 15 rehearsals before he was satisfied with the orchestra's playing. On March 19, the orchestra broke down in the middle of "Don Quixote".