Foster, Gounod, et al... Lincoln's Favorite Music Abraham Lincoln grew up with music in his home and in his heart. His mother sang folk songs to him and his sister when they were small children. As a young adult, he entertained himself with tunes he played on the harmonica. As an adult he went to concerts at every opportunity. As president he had musicians perform at the White House regularly and made certain that his friend and singing chief of staff, Ward Hill Lamon, was with him whenever he needed a song sung to him. Abraham Lincoln was perhaps the American president with the greatest love of music. He loved to hear good music and while president to the theater at ever possible opportunity to hear operas and musical concerts. During his 5 years in the White House he went to dozens of operas. He is the only American president to have had an opera performed for his inaugural celebration. "Tenor Douglas Jimerson's (programs are) meticulously prepared and stylishly sung... There is no other artist doing the kind of work Jimerson does." -- The Washington Post