The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-11-24
HIS FATHER MADE HARP.
Fabiana Has interesting History Away
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The other day, music-loving visitor
heard Signor Fabiani experimenting on
some of the novel harp effects to be heard
at his concert at the Crawford opera
house, tonight, and drew from
MIN. in conversation, curious detaIs.
which may interest the Eagle readers.
Real talent is mostly hereditary and
Signor Fabianis parents We're no excep-
lions to that rule.
His mother was the great Bochas fav-
orite pupil, WIN such a fine touch that
all who heard her. wanted to buy the
harp she played. His father played the
dulcimer ian obsolete instrument, rather
like a small harp laid fiat ard played
with little wooden drumsticks). at the
age Of four. sometimes with a blanket
spread over the strings, so as to create
a perfect furore. At the age Of twenty
he made a harp and piano of his own
invention. and was an accomplished vio-
lin and ecello soloist, composer and a
voice-trainer.
Signor Fabiani remembers that at the
age of about fourteen. when he had not
yet heard a violin in the house. he heard
his papa practicing it previous to rush
ing off to play a very difficult solo al
a concert in the place of a violist sud
uenly taken i'll After the performance
Ga great triumph, the boy Fabiani asked
his father how he could play thus with
out practice. Oh said his father "a
good artist can do without practice"
At five years of age. the present harpist.
Fsbisni sang and played to an enthusi-
4 . -,-,l- ta vic --I
the Belgian court, where the greatest
critic and musical biographer Of modern
times. the great chapel-master and con-
servatoire director. Fetis. told him (and
wrote him) that his new harp effects sur
passed all he had ever heard. Later on.
his friend, the composer, Meyerbeer. gave
him a letter or introduction TO the Ger
man court, where he composed his first
left-hand concert solo.
During the brilliant reign of Napoleon
III. Signor Fabiani was a familiar figure
in Paris. where he played at the most
distinguished public and private concerts
before royalty. enjoying the friendship
and society of the greatest composers
and artists Of that remarkable period
The late Emperor Napoleon was a steady
anu llptIal kdAINI OF the EstElS concerts
OF Sig2or Fahiani who can never for
get that genial monarch's graceful cour-
tesy and lberaiity. SiSnor Fabiani well
remembers the Emperor himself-perfect
gentleman. accomplished soldier and
statesman. ;ndefatigable worker-with
such a noble. fascinating presence that
he has heard many a bitter republican
fee ~ his admit that even the vitriol Of
party spirit evaporated before the genial
warmth Of his generous welcome: and
his TRULY imperial eonsort. the stately
majesty ard grace OF whose bow Of rec
ignition no one can ever forget who was
honored with it: and Their br. ght gall
lant and. alas foredoomedl. son-fornl-
ed Il family group he hes often seen and
still more frequently regretted
Mr. Fsbiani is an artist OF great dis
iinction. member OF Ins Imperial Soc.ery
Of Musicians-Artists of Paris and has
brought tears 10 the eyes Of nearly ali the
crowned heads OF Europe with his Won
derfuI music and possesses over 80 let
tiers from kings, queens. dukes. barons.
counts. etc. that are worth small for
tts1e.