Franz Xavier Arens (aka, F.X. Arens, Oct. 28, 1856–January 28, 1932) was a composer, conductor, musical director, and the founder of the New York People’s Symphony Concerts. He became a member of The Lambs in 1906.
A native of Neef, Germany, Arens immigrated to the United States at the age of eleven. He later returned to Germany to pursue musical studies under the renowned teacher Julius Hey. Arens eventually became Hey’s assistant and was appointed to represent him at the Congress of Nations at the Chicago World’s Fair. After graduating from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Dresden in 1885, Arens assumed leadership of the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra.
Five years later, he served as conductor of the American Composers’ Concerts at the Vienna International Musical and Theatrical Exhibition. From 1892 to 1896, he directed the Indianapolis May Music Festivals. Arens later served as president of the Metropolitan School of Music and principal of its vocal department until 1897. He subsequently conducted the New York Manuscript Society Concerts before founding the New York People’s Symphony, which he directed for seventeen years.
Arens earned one Broadway credit as director and conductor of a one-night concert with the Young Men’s Symphony at the Belasco Theater on April 30, 1905.
Franz Xavier Arens died of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California, on January 28, 1932. He was survived by his wife, Emma L. Arens, and their three sons: Egmont, Ralph Waldo, and Winfried Arens
–Researched and written by Lamb Bruce Roberts, 2025.