Updated:
July 17, 2007
usic was an important part of the social life of the Mission Inn. The music of the missions, of Mexico and of Spain, was often heard within the walls of the Mission Inn. Musicians dressed in costumes representing the early history of California sang and played guitar, lute, violin, accordion, and other instruments. The musicians often performed at the balconies above the Spanish Patio. One well-known musician was Jose Arias. According to his sons, Mission Inn owner Frank Miller met Jose at the Panama-California Exposition held in San Diego in 1915. Miller invited Arias to Riverside to perform at the Mission Inn. Arias was from Guanajuato, Mexico. Two generations of his family entertained guests of the Mission Inn.
Not all the musicians were of Mexican or Spanish descent. Soprano Elsie Younggren, of Swedish descent, performed with harpist Guillermina Lozano-Furlong. Favorite songs of the guests included "La Golondrina", "La Paloma", and "La Pajara." Other musical activities included weekly song services in the Cloister Music Room. Organist Newell Parker, always dressed in a cape, played the pipe organ and accompanied vocalists, including Elsie Youngren. The music room was also the site for opera performances and other musical events and programs.
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