Events in Music in 1878

Feb 22 Peter Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony in F premieres at a Russian Musical Society concert in Moscow [February 10 O.S.]

May 4 Thomas Edison's Phonograph shown for 1st time at Grand Opera House

May 25 W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's comic opera "H.M.S. Pinafore" premieres in London, their first international success