The Beginning of American Piano Manufacturing
Chickering was the first piano manufacturer established in the United States. Founded in 1823 in Boston by Jonas Chickering and his partner James Stewart, it is the oldest piano brand in American history. For two centuries, Chickering has remained at the forefront of piano manufacturing and is globally recognized for its dedication to developing unique piano designs.
The "King of Pianos" Born in America
In August 1850, Chickering completed a custom-made piano for the Swedish Nightingale, Jenny Lind, which accompanied her on a 93-performance tour starting in Boston. Before the tour began, the Steinway family arrived in New York and attended her first concert of the series, but rather than being captivated by the famous opera singer, they were deeply intrigued by the Chickering piano. They rushed to the stage to examine it closely, nearly delaying the start of the performance. Chickering also gifted a piano to the renowned Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, who was stunned by the piano's rich and stable sound. He claimed that he could hardly stop playing it.
