The Oratorio Society of Baltimore was founded by Otto Sutro

Otto Sutro

Otto Sutro was a German-born American organist, conductor, minor composer, publisher and music store owner, and a leading figure in the musical life of Baltimore, Maryland.Sutro was born in Aachen, Germany...

 in 1882, with Fritz Finke as music director. Its first performance came in 1885.

In 1892, Finke left the Oratorio Society to return to Germany. Mr. Sutro contacted Joseph Pache

Joseph Pache

Joseph Pache was a composer, teacher, and director of the Baltimore Oratorio society from 1892 to 1924 when the society disbanded.- Move to the United States and Professional Career :...

, a German conservatory professor in New York, to succeed Finke as general director. Pache directed the society through its disbandment in 1924.