Boston musical circles have a sincere affection for Franz Kneisel, not only on account of his musical gifts but in connection with the work that he has done for the Boston symphony orchestra. Apart from that, however, some of his admirers aver that as a violin soloist he has no equal in this country and but few rivals abroad. Be that as it may, it is certain that his gifts are of a remarkable nature, and, like all successful men, he has cultivated them, constantly and conscientiously. Franz Kneisel was born in Roumania, in 1865, of German parents. From a child he studied music and violin instruction under Grun and Hellmsburger and early gave indications of the successes that awaited him in the future. For some years he was concert master of the Hoffburg theatre orchestra of Vienna, and later of Bilse’s orchestra in Berlin. While filling these positions he acquired the reputation which led to his being invited to America. On reaching this country he at once became concert master of the Boston organization and director of the Kneisel quartet. He maintains his reputation as a violoncellist, however, in spite of the demands made upon his time by his other duties.
Maud Powell.
The popularity of Maud Powell, the violinist, amongst musically inclined people is not altogether due to a recognition of her genius. Those who know her life story know, too, that the place which she now occupies in the eye of the public has been obtained at the expense of a tremendous amount of work, in the face of many obstacles. Besides that, she is a typical American girl, which means that she is the possessor of the pluck independence and perseverance which are supposed to be characteristic of the citizens of the United States. Miss Powell was born in Peru, Illinois, August 22, 1868. She studied in the common schools at Aurora, Illinois, and, after some preliminary instruction on the violin in this country, took an advanced course of study in Leipzig, Paris and Berlin. As a pupil of the famous Joachim she gave promises of a brilliant future. Miss Powell is best known to the American public through the medium of her solos given in connection with orchestral concerts of Thomas, Seidl, Gericke, Nikisch, Damrosch and others. In 1892 she toured Australia and Germany with the New York Arion society, and, in 1896, on the strength of the popularity which she had established in her preceding tour, made another and most successful visit to Europe. She has contributed liberally on musical topics to a number of periodicals. Yet, as far as the American public is concerned, the fame of Maud Powell is permanently identified with her violin, rather than with her pen.
Theodore Thomas.
Like many of the well-known musicians of to-day, Theodore Thomas not only inherited his talents from his father, but was a pupil of the latter. Mr. Thomas shares with Damrosch and some other conductors the credit of making music, not only familiar to, but popular with, the masses in this country. He was born at Esens, Hanover, Germany, October 11, 1835, and at the age of ten made his first appearance in public as a violinist. Shortly after that he came to the United States, and for a number of years gave performances in New York. After a successful tour in the south, which extended over two years, he returned to New York and appeared in concerts and opera, first as violinist and later as orchestra conductor. In connection with other musicians he organized an annual series of chamber concerts. In 1867 he founded the Thomas orchestra and maintained it until 1888. He also acted as conductor for the Brooklyn and New York Philharmonic societies. In 1891 he moved to Chicago, and since then has been conductor of the Chicago orchestra. He is director of the Cincinnati college of music, was musical director of the Chicago exposition and has held other prominent positions in the musical world. He has been married twice, his second wife being Rose Fay, of Chicago.
SINGERS.
David Scull Bispham.
David Scull Bispham is another of those wise ones who recognized the call of his career and followed it. Originally intended for a business life, he found that his vocation was on the operatic stage, and in spite of the apparently insurmountable obstacles that intervened, he at length reached the goal of his desires. Mr. Bispham was born in Philadelphia January 5, 1857, and graduated in 1876 from Haverford college, a Quaker institution near Philadelphia. When not very much more than a baby he gave evidence of his musical taste, and when at college his connection with the glee club developed and fostered his gifts. Finally, after some years of experience as an amateur, he became a soloist in Philadelphia churches and in 1884 went to Italy to study and then appeared in concert in London. In 1892 he was intrusted with the rôle of “Tristan” at the Covent Garden Opera House, London, taking the audience of the British metropolis by storm. Since that time he has sung in all the great cities of the continent and of the United States, adding to his laurels meantime both as singer and actor. He is almost unexcelled as an oratorio vocalist, and is an exponent of classical ballads. Mr. Bispham was married in 1895 to Caroline, daughter of the late General Charles S. Russell. He is now the principal baritone of the Covent Garden Opera, London.