The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-06
Elndn Hates
. ROn1anticiSn1S

Mischa Elman, the great Russian
violinist who arrived in Fargo this
morning and who appears here in
concert Friday evening at the
auditorium, has not escaped the
romanticisms OF the public, and
every little while rumor is spread
about that he is engaged to this or
| that popular musician. A few weeks
ago the corridors OF the Metropolitan
/ operahouse in New York were agog
| with excited rumors about his en-
| gagement to a brilliant young
soprano. The singers of the opera
company stood around in little groups
| telling all they knew or had heard
| Of the affair. but when the newspaper
men arrived the only information
that could be had was that Mischa
Elman was showing much attention
to Mile. so and So" Nobody could
or would name the singer, and when
| Mr.. Elman was approached at his
hotel he laughed and said: 'SEn-
gagged? / wish I were! But really,
| those opera stars, they fiatter me.
Rest assured, when do become en-
gagged It will not be q secret very
long" a.rr
The young violinist. because OF so
many baseless rumors, such as are
usually the luck Cor rather the mis-
fortune from their standpoint), Of
great virtuosos, is coming to the
point, he says, where he absolutely
hates romance. II am young and all
| that" he answered an interviewer
'and love your American women,
but please do not say that am en-
gagged when talk to one. You must
know, it IL very difficult for me to
80 gaTn
times I wish I were just one of your
college boys who spends his time be-
tween baseball and girls. Why is IL
that because / happen to play the
violin well, everybody takes an inter-
est in my affairs of the heart? Please
tell your readers that I am just as
human as anybody else, and that a
pretty girl appeals to me as such
but do not make me out as being en-
gagged and having romance every
time show an interest in one OF
them"
In every city this young genius is
the recipient of much attention, but
the demands Of his concert work.
combined with the constant wear Of
travelling, make it impossible for him
to enjoy all the hospitality he other
wise would gladly accept. Rumor
has it that he coaxes about 100000
into the box offices of the country
each season he comes to America.
Unlike many other famous artists.
Mr. EIman does not travel surround
ed by a secretary, valet, manager,
interpreter, ten trunks and other
paraphernalia. His baggage consists
Of two huge suit cases and a violin
case. Mr.. Gordon, his accomplished
accompanist, is his sole travelling
companion, for the young Russian is
we'll able to look out for himself. The
violin he uses most, cost $4,000.
While 1t Is true that Elman loves
his violins as he would the apple
Of his eve, he nevertheless trusts
them on all his trips to the care OF
his accompanist. On tour he always
takes his Stradivarius and Amati.
It is an interesting conclusion with
Elman that It Is just as important
for 8 man artist to be carefully
dressed as it is for a woman artist
to be beautifully gowned. He says:
II find that when ! mount the con-
cert platform dressed in a Prince
Albert which Beau Brummel himself
might feel proud OF. the audience re-
spends with much greater rapidity
than when this is not so. Just to
test this theory, have a number OF
times purposeIy omitted some minor
fine point OF my wardrobe. and,
curiousIy, I found that 1t was more
dificult to establish myself with my
audience than on the other hand"
The concert tour planned for
Elman this season is the greatest he
has made in this country, and ex-
tends from the Atlantic to the Pacific |
coasts. Last year many Of his con- |
certs were so crowded that people |
were seated upon the stage.