Article on prospective virtuoso visits to New York City

“This week’s number of Watson’s Art Journal, a number illustrated for Christmas, contains a letter from Leipsig [sic], which contains some important musical news. The writer says:

‘The future of the United States concerning virtuosos is splendid. You may expect first the lion pianist, Dr. Hans von Bulow, ex-son-in-law of Liszt. It is pretty sure that Bulow comes under the management of Ullmann. It is also probable that the charming pianist, Sophie Menter, who married recently the well-known violoncello virtuoso, Popper, who resigned his place as first violoncellist of the Vienna Opera Orchestra, for travelling purposes with his wife, will visit the United States. Sophie is known as the best female pianist of the present day, and Popper as violoncello player is immense.

‘Abt, the Chapelmaster at Brunswick, is working hard to finish an opera for the United States. As soon as the work is done he will send it immediately thither for study, and he himself will follow a short time after.

‘The tenor Wachtel enjoys the best health; he told me, with a smiling face that he will visit New York again; that he has not yet decided exactly the time; but you may expect him at any time, for he is very fond of the American dollars. Frau Dr. Clara Schumann wishes to come also, but she wants somebody who will guaranty [sic] her for six months $20,000 net for her part. That amount would not be too much, but the difficulty is she wants to come only with her friend, the well-known violinist, Joachim, in company with his wife, a very great songstress, who wants also $20,000, making $40,000. Where is Barnum, or somebody else?

‘Six years ago Liszt got an offer for $100,000 guarantied [sic] by his friend and subscriber, Julius Schuberth. Liszt replied: “Not yet, my dear friend; let us talk about the matter in later time after Rubinstein and Bulow have been there.” Of course, after the visit of Bulow Schuberth will remind his friend of his promise. But, alas it is yet an unsettled question. If the gray-haired hero feels still in the same mind as he felt six years ago. Money don’t [sic] play a part with Listz [sic], even could he have guarantied [sic] to him one million francs.

‘The fame of your Thomas orchestra [sic] is so advanced here in Germany that Liszt, Raff and Wagner wish to have their works performed by this society; even more, for Raff has recently composed for Thomas a suite in five numbers, for solo violin and grand orchestra. What a triumph for Mr. Thomas; also for Listeman [sic] and the members of the society!

‘Another news is of Edward Mollenhauer’s work, the Passions, for orchestra and chorus, decidedly a composition of great merit; the score has been asked for the second time, by Chapelmaster Reinecke, for review, with the intention to produce it in the world-renowned Gewandhaus Concerts.

‘I have to conclude my letter with a very sad piece of news. Henri Vieuxtemps, the great violinist and composer, has been struck with paralysis in both his arms, and they are entirely useless.”