The Detroit times., 1914-01-16
AMERICAN BOY
CHARMS Wife OF
RUSSIAN CAR
Child Conductor OF symphony,
Orchestra Began Career at
Age of Three
WINS HIGH HONORS
AT EIGHT YEARS OLD
Conducts Great ST. Petersburg
Musical Organization With
out Use of Notes

ST. PETERSBURG. Jan. 1G--At last
there Is Il sign that the Czarma may
recover her old happy SELF. For years
e has been feared that tho empress.
though stu young woman, might
become a victim OF melancholy SQc
las lived listless life taking interest
n nothing except her husband ana
children.
Recently an American boy, or rath-
er a boy OF italian parents in America,
eight years ago, created the biggest
kind OF a sensation in music loving 81.
Petersburg by acting as the leader OF
The symphony concert. Interpreting in
a mastery and original spirit some Of
he greatest works OF Beethoven. Ber-
io2, GrieK and Wagner. The child
CONDUCTOR was lauded by the critics
- the greatest Kapellmeister- genius
Of all times and the public fought for
tickets 10 his concerts
The empress who is a very fine
pianist, took interest IN the news and
asked the car 20 send for the child.
Willy Ferrero, however. declined to
direct the court musicians without re.
hearsal. as was asked but he offered
osbring The symphony orchestra over
70 the court
Il have rehearsed them twice and
gave one public concert with them
hence We know each other said the
little boy
After elaborate precautions had
been taken 10 prevent the possible
Introduction OF bomb throwers. the
symphony orchestra WAS admitted TO
he stage AT the Winter Palace con-
eert hall and the empress listened TO
he performance sitting in screened
OK at first. But before Beethoven's
Prma Sinfonia" was over. the emp
ress with her own hands. opened the
curtains and drew her chair up 20 the
'ont.
Willy looks even younger than his
age. la honor OF the occasion he
wore new velvet suit BLACK silk
stockings and patent leather slippers
hat seemed To be no larger than q
aby's He wore a fine Venetian lace
collar falling over his shoulders and
his long blonde locks seemed TO belle
his Italian origin
To eVerybOdys aston tshment il was
seen that he directed the big orches
ira without nOtes--a youthful ArutrO
With all the force but with great
deal more poetry than an old-timer
nd those near enough 20 study his
lace said afterwards that all the emo
toms depicted by the music were
aithrull portrayed on WHY'S countc-
nance. JOY and pain. enthusiasm and
victory. sentiment and poetry
His baton gave the cue 20 each Of
ne hundred Instruments but his
movements were always harmonious
here was not a suggestion OF phvsi-
cal oyerWork.
Later the boy directed Berloizs
Hungarian March. then The Dance OF
Anitra from Peer Gynt The empress
was the first 10 applaud and the car
nd the grand dukes aud grand
W,chesses. the diplomats and coulticrs
followed suit, the applause increasing
With every number. Little Willy closed
his concert with the prelude OF the
Maistersingers and everybody agreed
never 70 have heard a finer perform
ance Of this grand work After the
concert. everybody crowded around
the boy concentrating him hut he
vas called away bv the court marshal
who took him 10 the tea room. where
. he empress had arranged an inn
rromptu reception for him. Her ma
iesty intends TO take the boy under
her patronage. and during his stay in
st. Petersburg he will spend an hour
daily. playing accompaniments for
her
As you do not speak Russian. how
could you make yourself understood
1y the orchestra" asked the empress
Il sing the parts if cannot make
myself unders TODD, answered Willy