Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-04-28
miscellaneous.
HOW OLE BULL ROSE 70 FAME.

Professor RaSmus Il. Anderson in an in
PRODUCTION to kristoter Janson's "Spell-
Bound Fiddler" translates the following
IN regard to the celebrated Norwegian
violinist. from sketch by Hans Christian
Andersen:
Behind the Alps is the land OF miracles,
the world of adventures. We do not he
lievc in miracles; adventure. on the con-
trary. is dear To us.-wc listen to il with
willingness. and such an one us only hap
pens to genius took place in Bologna in
the wear lS43
The poor Norseman. Ole Bull, who at
that time no one knew. had wandered thus
far southwark. In his fatherland some
persons certainly thought that there was
something in him. but most people. as is
generally the ease. predicted that Ole
Bull would amount TO nothing. He him
self felt that he must go out into the world
in order 10 cherish the spark into flame.
or else to quench it entirely. Everything
seemed at first to indicate that the latter
would he the case.
He had arrived at Bologna. but his
money was spent, and there was no place
where there was any prospect of getting
morc.-no friend. not even countryman
held forth a helping hand toward him;
he sat alone in poor attic in one of the
small streets.
Ii was already the second day that he
had been here and he had scarcely tasted
food The water jug and the violin were
the only two things that checred the young
and suffering artist. He began to doubt
whether he really were in possession of
that talent with which God had endowed
him. and in his despondency breathed in
| IN tho violin fhoSa tomas which ,axp s>;,o
our hearts in so wonderful IA manner.-
those tones which tell us how deeply he
has suffered and felt
The same evening" great concert was
to be given IN the principal theatre. The
house was filled to overilowing; the Grand
Duke of Tuscany was in the roval box
Madame Malibran and Monsieur de Beriot
were 10 lend their able assistance in the
performance of several pieces. The con-
cert was to commence, but matters looked
inauspicious.-the managers star was, not
in the ascendant. Monsieur de Beriot had
taken umbrage and refused to play. All
was trouble and confusion on the stage.
when, in this dilemma the wife of Rossini.
the composer, entered. and in the midst OF
the managers distress related that, on the
previous evening. as she passed through
one of the narrew streets, she had sudden
ly stopped.on hearing the strange tones Of
an instrument. which certainly rcsembled
those of a violin, but yet seemed 10 be
different
She had asked the landlord Of the house
who il was that lived i'm the attic whence
the sounds proceeded, and he had replied
that it was a young man from the north OF
Europe. and that the instrument he played
was certainly Tyre; but she felt assured
that it could not be So il must either be :,
new sort of instrument. or an artist who
knew how to treat his instrument in an ln-
usual manner. At the same time she said
that they ought to send for him, and he
might, perhaps. supply the place of Mon
sieur de Berot by playing the pieces that
must otherwise be wanting in the evenings
entertainment
This advice was acted upon, and mes
senger was despatched to the street where
Ole Bull sat in his attic. To him it was a
message from heaven. Now or never.
thought he. and though i'll and exhausted,
he took his violin under his arm and ac-
companied the messenger to the theatre
Two minutes after his arrival the mana
ger informed the assembled audience that
q young Norwegian. consequently a
young savage" would give specimen
of skill on the violin instead OF Monsieur
del Beriot.
Ole Bull appeared; the theatre was
brilliantly illuminated. He perceived the
scrntinizing looks Of ladies' nearest TO him /:
one of them, who watched him very close
ly through her opera glass. smilingly
whispered to her ncighbor, with mock
ing micn, about the diflidcnt man.
ners of the artist He looked at
his clothes, and in the strong blaze
of light they appeared rather the
worse for wear. The lady made her re-
marks about them, and her smile pierced
his very heart. He had taken no notes
wi him which he could give to the Or
chestra. He was consequently, obliged
to play without accompaniment; but what
should he play?
will rive them the fantasies which al
this moment cross my mind, And he
played impr"visatory remembrances Of hi.
own life, melodies ffom his soul il was
as if every thought, every feeling, passed
through the violin and revealed itself Il
the audicnct'.
The most astounding acclamations re
sounded through the house. Ole Bul
was called iorth again and again. They
still desired new piece, a new improvis
alton He then addressed himself TO tha
lady whose mocking smile had met hin
on his appearance, and asked for theme
to vary. She gave him one from Nor
ma He then asked two other ladies
who chose one from 'Othelle" and on
from Moses Now, thought he, If
take all three, unite them with each other
and form one peace, shall then fiatte
each of the ladies, and perhaps the com
position will produce an effect
He did 50. Powerfully as the rod Of tn,
magician the bow glided across the string
while cold drops Of perspiration trickles
down his forhead. There was fever il
his blood: it was as if the mind woult
free itself from the body: fire shot from
his eyes he felt himself almost swoon
ing; vet few bold strokes-they wer
his last bodily powers.
, Flowers and wreaths from the charme'
multitude fluttered about him, who. ex
hausted by mental conflict and hunger
: was nearly fainting. He went to his hom
{ accompanied by music. Before the hous
i sounded the serenade for the hero Of til
!. evening, who meanwhile, crept up ii
!. dark and narrow staircase, higher an
i. higher up into his poor garret, whel