The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-03
NAME HANDICAPPED. ARTIST.
BUT. As OLLIVOTTT, MICHAEL
RAINIER WILL TRY AGAIN.
Played the Violin Here ss q Musical Prodigy
when He Was five Years Did -stunied
I'm Europe and Came Aga.n-Won Only
Praise From the Critics. Ma Money.

WHEN He Was Five Years Old-Sturied
I'm FurOpe and Came Aga.n-WOn Only
Praise From the Critics. No Money.
o,ce again has Michael Banner. the vio-
Enist. found that short hair and real art
will not get chummy. 10 matter II one does
NAV divinely. Signor Michael begins a
circuit of the Keith-Proctor houses next
week. but at his first appearance at the
Harlem Opera House on Monday afternoon
he will be down on the programme as one
If the OIlivotti brothers, and his short locks
will have grown a foot or so before he
reaches the stage by way Of the makeup
table.
Even John Fynes, general press agent OF
the Keith theatres, does not wax more
enthusiastic over Signor Michael's playing
than do the musical critics who have heard
him. But critics and press agents have
different notions of the violinist's name and
history. Those who knew and enjoyed
the playing Of Michael Banner years ago
also know that Banner and Olliyotti are
one. Press Agent Fynes, however, is quite
sure that the players real name is Michael
Angelo. and not only that, but.
Before getting down 20 the interesting
history Of Michael Angelo, the violinist. as
outlined yesterday in a few bold strokes
nv the press agent, perhaps il would be as
veil to hear first the real history OF a mu-
sician handicapped with a name and short
hair.
To begin with, Michael Banner was born
IN Sacramento, Cal, thirty-six years ago.
and even at birth the Iamentable lack Of
long locks was noticeable. Five years,
still short haired and still named Michael
n l. kill -nnAA 10 NAau Vn<L and
Appeared as an infant prodigy in Steinway
Hall with DR.. Damrosch. Perhaps women
weren't given TO hurdling the stage to kiss
the wonder in those days as they are now.
Nevertheless, little Michael made a sensa-
ton and money enough to go to Paris a
few years later to study. While still a lad
he played In public in Paris, and after three
wears Of concert work there he came back
TO America.
For some time after his arrival in America
he played on the concert stage, no longer
the prodigy fiddler, but a capable performer
who won the plaudits of the critics. But
still his name was Michael Banner and his
hair was short and there was nothing do
ing in the box office. Once again he went
to Europe, first TO Berlin 10 give r~ecitals.
and later to Copenhagen, where he was
concert master OF an orchestra for some
time. And then one day he saw great
light.
One night about eight years ago there
blossomed out on the stage Of the Winter
Garden OF Berlin a tan, esthetic looking
young man with swaying locks like a mid
winter chrysanthemum show. Also the
Young man wore knickerbockers that might
have been Paganini's and altogether be
lived up to the programme notice b
called him 'PagAnini resurreCted.' The
audience rose to him. salary day began
20 be something worth while. and the only
bitter in Michael Banners cup Of happiness
now was his fear that some night In the
ecstasy Of his art h would shake on the wig.
Now while playing to big audiences in
German vaudeville houses-he played for
twenty-four weeks in the Winter Garden
there arose in Michael's soul n desire TO
come back to America and again try II as
Banner. Five years o he threw the wig
out the back window in BerL.L and came to
America entered on the passenger list as
VI. Banner. Again he tried it here as Nj. b.
Lots Of complimentary criticisms, but the
ticket seller developing too much liver from
lack Of exercise. And ever since Michae
Banner has been living quietly here and has
been playing in the Russian symphony and
other orchestras, has been soloist in orches-
tras and has given lessons.
But leave il to the press agent to discover
art. Yesterday the papers received the
following typeWr1Cten notice from the
Keith-Proctor press bureau:
A GREAT MUsIcAL EVENT.
The onivotti Troubadours will appear at
Ketth's Harlem Opera House next week and
II 10 claimed that this is the best musical act
of it's kind In the world on the vaudeville
stase. The violinist, who is a great virtuoso,
has be en- repeatedly called the modern Pa
zanfni by leading critics Of Europe. Sever
est criticisms solicited.
you can put it down that he's a swell
artist" said Press Agent Fynes later, while
he juggled coffee and sandwiches with
one hand and a typewriter with the other
in his Office, These Olivottis are Italian
gondoliers and they've never appeared in
america. Their name il Ollivotti, so far
as know, and the one that plays the violin
up on their back record, but II you will
call here in about a half hour III look 'em
up and tell you all can about them"
While the half lot was elapsing the
reporter went over TO see an eminent
musician who had the Ollivotti history at
his finger tips. This information was
sought merely because the reporter feared
that John Fynes might not be able to get
the information desired. The musician
began at Sacramento and ended up at
the Harlem Opera House, added a perora-
ton filed with praise for Banner and his
work, and concluded with a quotation
o. be some other namei
What's in a name? That which we cali 9 rose
by any other name would smell as sweet.
The coffee and sandwiches had disap-
peared when the reporter called on Press
agent Fynes the second time and Fynes
was sitting at his desk just stuffed with
Information.
This violinist's real name il Michael
Angelo he began. IF he were only in
town I'D send you TO him so that you could
get his history at first hand, hut he won't
he here till Monday. This il his first appear
ance 10 America. I don't believe the fellow
with him il a real Ollivotti, but Michael
Angelo is the goods. He can make a iddIe
talk. over in Europe they call him the
new Paganini and we're going to make
people sit up when We fash him on New York
Imannounced.
why, the man that ar pears with him
as accompanist--the other Ollivotti- plays
a twenty-four string bass guitar that's a
wonder. The accompanies name IL
Giuseppe Ollivotti and the two came 70
America for the first time ! lst July. When
you were in here a minute ago ! really
didn't know whether Michael tngelo was
a Pa9anini. a Kubelik or a lobster. But
I've ~telephoned TO our booking Office since