RITTER, Frederic Louis, musician, born in Strassburg, Alsace, in 1834. His father came from a Spanish family, and the name was originally Caballero. He began the study of music at an early age under Hauser and Hans M. Schletterer. When sixteen years old he received some instruction from Georges Kastner in Paris, whence he went to Germany to continue his studies there. In 1852 he received the appointment of professor of music in the Protestant seminary of Fenestrange, Lorraine. Later he was also called to Bordeaux to conduct a series of concerts. About, 1856 he came to the United States. For several years after his arrival he resided in Cincinnati, doing much to advance the cause of music during his stay in that city. He organized the Cecilia and the Philharmonic societies, and raider his leadership many works were produced for the first time in this country. In 1801 he went to New York and became conductor of the Sacred harmonic society and of the Arioa, a choral society. In 1867 he organized and conducted at Steinway hall the first musical festival that was held in the city. He was appointed professor of music at Vassar college the same year, and since 1874 he has resided in Poughkeepsie. The University of New York conferred the degree of doctor of music upon him in 1878. As a writer on musical topics he is well known on both sides of the Atlantic. Besides numerous articles in English, German, and French periodicals, tie has written "A History of Music in the Form of Lectures" (Boston, 1870-'4; 2d ed., London, 1876); "Music in England" (New York, 1883); "Music in America" (1883); " Manual of Musical History, from the Epoch of Ancient Greece to our Present Time" (New York, 1886); and "Musical Dictation" (London, 1888). He edited the English edition of "Das Reich der Tone"--"The Realm of Tones "--(New York, 1883), for which he wrote the appendix, containing sketches of American musicians, fie is also well known as a composer. His instrumental works include several symphonies and overtures for full orchestra, a septet for flute, horn, and string quintet, string quartets, and compositions for the piano and organ. Many of these have been rendered by the principal orchestral organizations and clubs for chamber music in New York, Brooklyn, and Boston. His sacred music includes the 23d and the 95th Psalm, both for female voices, the 4th Psalm, " O Salutaris," and an "Ave Maria." His compositions for the voice include more than one hundred German songs, and he has published also a " Practical Method for' the Instruction of Chorus Classes," and compiled, with the Reverend J. Ryland Kendrick, D. D., " The Woman's College Hymnal," containing tunes arranged for male voices only (Boston, 1887).--His wife, Fanny Raymond, is also well known as a writer on musical topics. She has published translations of Louis Ehlert's " Letters on Music to a Lady" (London, 1877) and Robert Schumann's " Music and Musicians" (1877). Her' other writings include the pamphlets " Woman as a Musician" (New York, 1877); "Some Famous Songs" (London, 1878) ; "Troubadours and Minnesingers" ; "Haydn's ' Seasons' " (Poughkeepsie, 1881) ; "Madrigals" (1882); and a volume of poems, "Songs and Ballads" (New York, 1888). She is also known as the possessor of an excellent mezzo-soprano voice, and in the winter of 1869-'70 began a series of "historical recitals."