Lisa Klemens will give a talk on her Dossenbach family on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Central Library of Rochester Public Library. It will be in the Kate Gleason Auditorium at 1 pm.

In 1911–1912, Rochester conductor Hermann Dossenbach and his family spent a year in Europe, studying the world’s foremost conductors and musicians. This sojourn had a profound effect on Rochester’s music scene, helping to create the atmosphere that would lead to the establishment of the renowned Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the Eastman School of Music.

Kleman will explore the Dossenbachs’ year in Europe, discuss her research, including the discovery of a diary written by one of Hermann’s daughters while in Europe, and consider the act of storytelling. How do we recreate the past? How do we make it true and factual, while also including the drama and the emotions?

This talk is in relation to  an article in the Fall 2023 issue of Rochester History. That magazine has recently undergone a transformation. It is now being jointly published by the Local History Sept. of Rochester Public Library and Rochester Institute of Technology Department of History under their RIT Press. Issue of Rochester History will be available at the talk for $10.

The talk will be also available online. Registration for in person and online is recommended but not required. To register, visit this web page.The live stream will be at: www.youtube.com/@RochesterPublicLibraryNY/streams.