What was conceived of and spoken of as the 'public' in the aftermath of the decline of feudalism and bourgeois revolution from late 18th century Europe onwards was far from constituting the totality of members of society - rather in reality it meant the newly emancipated bourgeois merchants and their families, who became the primary consumers for classical music during the 19th century. This was still a very long way from any real egalitarianism. As far as making money from their craft was concerned, composers and instrumentalists then and now, give or take a few superstars, were a considerable way down the socio-economic ladder from the bulk of their new audiences, even when no longer in the regular employ of a feudal master as had previously been the case (and continued through that century, especially in German-speaking lands before the formation of the German nation).
there's an urban myth of the 19th century, which gets attached to Liszt, Chopin et al....
The virtuoso is invited to play in the salon of an aristocratic lady. He accepts, and says his fee will be 5,000 thalers. The lady then says,
"Of course, I don't expect you to mingle with my guests - you can eat with the servants".
To which he replies,
"In that case, Madam, my fee will only be 3,000 thalers".
