Ever see an Ophicleide?

Question

I had to ask two friends who are faculty at The Juilliard School of Music to help identify the instrument in the photo of Thomas Benjamin Clark. It is an ophicleide, a predecessor of the tuba, for which the notorious and dreaded 'tuba' part in Mendelssohn's Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream was written. Hear the ophicliede here.

You have to admit that being the ophicliedist for the Golden Spike Ceremony at Promontory Point in 1869 gives someone a unique place in history.

Answer 1

That’s really something! Thanks for sharing. Quite educational as well.

Answer 2

No, I hadn’t heard of that instrument, Todd.  Interesting full-bodied sound I link.  So nice to have it shown in the Clark photo.  Are you a Thomas Clark descendant?

Comments

Not related to him. Stumbled across him updating some Westward Ho profiles.

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Fun photo to stumble over.  I wish you well with WESTWARD HO.

Answer 3

George William Proctor is seen in his photo with an ophicleide:

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Proctor-3758

Comments

He turns out to be a cousin -- 5th cousin four times removed.