The Washington critic., 1890-04-07
MISS e1LnERr,s ouALLENer.
Anxious to Prove Her Accomplish
ments as a COrnet VirtuosO.


ments as q COrnet VirtuosO.
A handsome, black-eyed and petite
lady, holding roll Of music, was
awaiting her turn to rehearse at Ker-
mans this morning, and during the in
terval conversed with Critic reporter
on her claim to be called the greatest
lady cornetist in the world. She was
Miss Bessie Gilbert, the famous cornet-
list, who, during the past seven years,
has succeeded in pushing herself to
the front rank of cornet virtuosos of
the world. Her title, however, Is dis.
puted by Mrs. F. b. Alvord, formerly
Miss Alice Raymond and an effort is
being made to bring them together in
public exhibition to determine which Is
the better.
II have had standing challenge for
the past five years, she said. ito play
any woman in the world, and none of
them has ever taken It up. have
played with Levy and Arbuckle, the
two great masters of the cornet, and
both have said was the best lady per-
former in the world ! have the testi-
monial of any number of famous
musical directors to the same effect, in
cluding Reeves, the leader of the Amer
lean Band at Providence Liberatti and
Ewald Stolz, the great trombone
soloist.
II see Miss Raymond claims to have
challenged me to q match two wears ago
and that refused. That is not true.
Miss Raymond never challenged me,
but on the contrary ] have had my
challenge open to the world for the past
five years.
"l am willing to play Miss Raymond
at any time and place for any amount
of money in order to settle the question
of superiority. If she does not want
to play on the variety stage will play
at any of the other theatres in the city
that can be secured. The decision OF
the contest must, however, be in the
hands of competent critics, and am
willing to have three judges. one to
be selected by each of us, and the third
to be chosen by those two. Or will
agree TO leave it to vote of the audi
ence.
IF Miss Raymond does not care to
play for money, If any one will donate
building, am willing to play and al
low the proceeds to be given to any
charitable institution after deducting
tne expenses OF tne Judges.
Miss Raymond claims she has been
sick all winter, but she was playing
with the Irwin Bros. show up to three
weeks ago. so she has had plenty of
practice. Nevertheless am willing to
| play here in week,,a month or even
three months from now Let her ac-
cept my challenge and she can fix the
time herself.
Understand, however, that in an
exhibition of that kind / would insist
that the selections be first class ones, and
not simple polkas such as she plays.
The Air ct varie, Facilitia, the Electric
polka, Levyanthan polka or any difficult
solos such as are performed by Levy
and Liberatti would have to constitute
the repertoire"
II want to have the matter settled
and that just as soon as possible" Miss
Gilbert added, and then she went on
the stage and soon the empty building
was filled with the swelling and soulful
notes Of the cornet, that demonstrated
that the performer had not been merely
boasting of her accomplishments.
Mr.. Herman is very anxious to have
the match come off this week and it is
possible that it may be arranged.