Scan 78
Voice and violin: sketches, anecdotes, and reminiscences by T.L. Phipson, 1898
12 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 60. See the scan on archive.org.
1and his little hand-bell, which he rang violently whenever any applause arose among the public. The bell was, however, quite ineffectual to suppress it. On such occasions he usually displayed a good deal of temper, and when silence at length ensued, the irritable little man would rise to his feet and say—
3"Ladies and gentlemen, you are aware that any expression of feeling is strictly forbidden at these public competitions, and if any such occurs again, I solemnly declare to you that I will give orders to the police to clear the room!"
5Generally, this speech, which was repeated from time to time in almost the same words, was received with a few well-marked groans, and that added so much to the old gentleman's irritability, that more than once I feared we should really have been ushered into the street by the armed police force in attendance.
7The piece chosen for the competition on this occasion was the Andante et Rondo Russe from De Bériot's Second Concerto, perhaps the most beautiful of all his compositions.
9Just before the proceedings began, my worthy professor came into the balcony and asked me if I would like to be introduced to Mademoiselle Fréry.
11Of course I should—I was then, also, about eighteen years of age, and was studying the same piece of music.
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