Scan 30
Famous Violinists and Fine Violins: Historical Notes, Anecdotes, and …, 1903
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1or to music of a serious character, for some considerable time after their foundation.
3Viotti's début at these concerts was extremely successful; no violinist had yet been heard there who possessed so fine a tone and so large a style. He performed several of his own compositions, Concertos, which were decidedly superior to the works of the same kind previously heard in Paris.
5When we reflect on the considerable number of eminent violinists in that city at the period of which I am writing, it is very evident that the young Giovanni Battista Viotti must have possessed extraordinary talent to have eclipsed them all. Indeed, he had not been long in the French capital, where he was destined to reside for so many years, before he attracted attention in the highest quarters; he soon received the command of Queen Marie Antoinette to play at the Court of Versailles.
7It was on one of these occasions that a characteristic scene occurred, illustrating the peculiarly courageous nature of Viotti, which was to be found not only in his playing and in his compositions, but likewise in his private life. The concert had been most carefully arranged, and our virtuoso had just commenced one of his charming Concertos when the arrogant Count d'Artois, a most conceited fop, entered the room, and made a great noise, walking about and speaking in a loud voice to
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