The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-25
IN THE MUSICAL WORLD
By MARIA DE VAN HURLEY.

tentious little man who first saw the light of what until recently seemed a very hard old world in Austria Hungary in 1872 He is the son of an army musician and he himself has served as bandmaster in the Twentysixth regiment, Austrian army. His first trip to England was on an Austrian battleship as con- ductor of marine hand; his second and last one to witness the final rehearsal of his Merry Widow at Dalys theatre, London, fwhere he lead the orchestra on the opening night.
 Franz Lehar, though now the most pop ular composer in all Europe, has tasted deeply of the bitter of life and various and many have been his struggles. He has risen from out the depths of ex- treme diversity to the heights of fame, the most Of which he, however, attributes to Dvorak the Bohemian composer, whose influence caused Lehar to abandon his violin study for composition. Lehar at last consented and his first attempts in- cluded a number of songs and two light operas, the successes of which was not gratifying and despairing of success in this field, Lehar became conductor of an orchestra at Triest But still Dvorak's s advice fingered with Lehar, and again he made the second effort, the result of which we may, before many hours, judge for ourselves and may it in not one iota be misrepresented in that 1t is a comic operetta, both dainty and re- fined
 The accompanying cut will doubtlessly be most interesting.
 The sudden death of Sarasate, the illustrious Spanish violinist, last month
 IL 4fr.1N al cal world In the short lapse of but IS months the worlds three most famous violinists have been summoned, let us hope to the City of Eternal Music. Joachim was the first, then Wilhelmj and now Sarasate. Joachim died at the age of 76, Wilhelmj at 63 and Sarasate at GA. The last named was born at Pamplona, Spain, March 10, 1s44.
 At a very early age Sarasate evinced most remarkable musical talent and at 10 was sent to Paris to become q pupil of Alard, the great French vio- linist and teacher. Here he remained five years and at 5 toured Spain, Italy India and America concertizing. In 1889 he again visited America, and with d'Albert the eminent German pianist, made his American debut at the Met ropolitan opera house, New York. The last few years prior to his death, Sar. asate had labored most diligently on "Violin Method" and having completed it only a few days before his death, was on the verge of submitting 1t to his publisher, when, true to his many most peculiar characteristics. he cast this valuable work into the flames, saying that such things were for world artists and not violinists.
 Sarasate was the happy possessor of two genuine Stradivarius violins; one his favorite, was presented to him by Queen Isabella as token of her ap- preciation of his playing for her when but a child of 10 years. This violin was to be used by Sarasate during his life time and at his death to be pre- sented to another of Spain's violin vir- tuosi. Juan Manen will now doubtless- ly come into its possession, as he is conceded now the greatest living Span ish. violinist. The other Strad, was be- quea tn ed to the Paris conservatory, to- gether with 100000 francs.
 Sarasate amassed quite fortune during his last three decades and at his death left several million francs. His villa in Biarritz was bequeathed