The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-05
BAVAR|AN PRINCE IS
MUSICIAN AN D
SURGEON, TOO
LUDWIG FERDINAND, INcoGNITo,
PLAYS IN MUNICH ORCHESTRA
PRACTICES SURGERY BE-
CAUSE HE LIKES 1T.
BY Charles Henry Meltzer.

tall bearded man, who wore
spectacles and straw hat. Jumped
out Under his arm he carried a VIC
/ lin.
who was that?" ! asked the door
keeper expecting him TO tell me thai
the agitated gentleman was the con
2ertmeister, and rather maryeling a,
his distinguished, although simple
manner.
THAT, was informed, however
was Prince Ludwig Ferdinand, pro
tector OF the Prinzregenten rheater
nephew OF the Prince Regent. Lult
pold"
| Then | remembered that had
heard, from singers, in New York of a
Royal Highness" In Bavaria who, be
sides shining In court circles, com
posed music, played several instru
ments and practiced surgery.
| What was he doing there with his
violin? Surely he did not intend 10
play in the orchestra? But It was pre-
Cisely for that purpose, 1t seemed
that he had come.
Plays In tho Orchestra.
Koenigliche Hoheit was in the habit
OF taking part, modestly and without
airs, not only In the rehearsals, but
In the public performances Of the
Munich opera house. Only unolncially
OF course. and as one unit in con
cealed orchestra, for II would never
do for him to be seen Adding for the
entertainment OF the public, however
charming that might seem to poets
and other proletaires.
Mottl. the opera director for the
time being. rules the prince at these
functions. The Protector ceases 20
protect and subordinates his prnceli
ness 10 his love OF art.
Thanks to the Intervention OF Prof
Anton Fuchs, stage director OF the
Court theaters in Munich. the prince
kindly gave an interviewer should
| not rather call It private audi
ence-at the Wittelsbacher Palais, his
Munich residence
Though II was not yet noon | had
as n matter OF Difference, to put on
the trappings which in New York are
usually reserved for evening ceremon-
les. There Is something uncanny al
first In this continental fashion of pay.
ing morning visits in dress coats. But
one can get used to It.
| gave my card to solemn function
airy who opened TO me. The prince
was still at breakfast, but would
be seated?
The music room opened into sec
ond room, even more lacking the ap-
pearapce of luxury. There the prince
evidently received his patients and
performed his operations-a labora-
tory, consultation room and dispen-
sary, all in one.
shall never know. nor did inquire,
whether my arrival disturbed the
prince. Certain 1t is that only few
minutes after he had received my
card Koenigliche Hoheit hustled into
the music room, with friendly smile
on his big. honest, serious face and
his hand welcoming me.
noticed that he had the short.
sighted look of those who brood much
over meteorological mysteries. He
had also the high forehead OF think.
err while about his eyes and temples
one read music. At a casual glance he
had resemblance 10 the late Emper-
Alexander tragic memory. but
he was less massively built and more
human than that monarch.
Appealed as Artist Prince
Speaking English fiuently, though
with slight accent. he offered me a
cigarette and struck "a light for me as
he questioned me about my mission
In Europe.
Not that It mattered to him whether
had come 10 Bavaria to catch butter.
flies or TO interview opera composers.
Still. he managed. by the tone in
which he -sPekerte suggest that he
was really anxious to hear about my
experiences. ] assured him that |
had been drawn to him, not as a
prince, but as an artist.
That's very nice" said he.
And then he told me something of
his tastes, tendencies and aims In
music.
-haxe- writtep-SnngSy-y yes, sand
have begun work on two operas, he
explained. "The first subject which
chose was The Ring of Gyges.' But
II put that aside as unsuitable, and
now | am planning an opera dealing
with 'Gawaln. the Arthurian hero. II
is a splendid theme. | cannot get to
work in earnest on It, though, till the
libretto Is completed. II Is being writ
ten.
ut is very hard for me 10 find time
for composing | am busy. My oper-
atoms take up great part or my DAY.
Then | have so many rehearsals To at
tend. | can seldom spare more than
a quarter OF an hour at once for my
onera That's too little.
Wagner His Favorite.
My favorite composer! Wagner
But | am much Interested in Richard
Strauss. You have heard his 'Salome|
Yes? You know how beautiful-and
how complex--it is. Well, his Elec-
ira Is far more beautiful and infinite
ly more difficult
"Berlioz, too. admire greatly. |
once played in a performance OF The
Damnation OF Faust And Debussy
Is remarkable. | have not heard his
.Pelleas and Mellsaade. the theater
but know II from the piano score.
i mentioned That Debussy had hint.
ed at the possibility of his attempting
a Tristan and Isolde
What? After Wagner" exclaimed
the prince. 1T IL dangerous"
So Debussy himself thinks, said !
Koenigliche Hoheit confessed that
Tristan and Isolde" seemed too deeI
subject for French composer &c
tackle.
Why Because in music French
men are less serious than we are
They are graceful. they have melody
but their harmony-their orchestra
tion--is, as as a rule, fiimsy." -
Eor m rnAuapf ~ fUn ua op0la~ nj