A FAMOUS CONDUCTOR.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20489, 7 March 1932, Page 9

A FAMOUS CONDUCTOR.

DEATH OF MR J. P. SOUSA. (united press association— by electric - TEL^GBAFH —COFTMOHT.) (Eeceived March 7th, 12.30 a.m.) NEW YOBK, March 6. The death ■ occurred , on Saturday night, at Beading, Pennsylvania, of Mr John Philip Sousa, the famous American bandmaster, at the , age of 78 yean. The cause of death was heart failure. . [John Philip Sousa, known as the "March King," was born at Washington, D.C., in 1854. His father wa» Portuguese and hia mother a Bavarian. -- At the' age of 11 he appeared in public ; as a solo violinist. A pupil of Esputa and Benkert, he studied the violin and , band instruments; .From; 1872 he was a, violinist in theatres at Washington and Philadelphia. In 1876-77 he was, under Offenbach at Philadelphia, writing for him the ''lnternational Congress'' fantasia, and it was no doubt his ajso-/VV ciation with this composer that led him to begin writing comic operas ii" 1879. ,• As early as 1867. he had played in th® Marine Band at Washington, and from 1880 to 1892 he was its leader. He then . formed his own banct, which gave its, first concert at Plainfield, New Jersey," ; in September, 1892. With this he made annual tours through the United States and Canada, besides five tours, in Europe and one in 1910-11 Tound the' t world, visiting among other countries ' South Africa, Australia, Tasmania - , and New Zealand. The band played at' Jr >, most all-the great exhibitions. Sousa first made his name at ths Chicago World's Fair in 1893, and extended his reputation to Europe by his, ance at the Paris Exhibition in 1900. He received many Orders and'decoraant in the United States Naval Eeserye. As a bandmaster he fascinated his • audiences by his spectacular./style ©f conducting, and by the catchy tunes of his hundred marches, which included the, \ ™ Washington Post," ' 'Liberty Bell,'! "Stars and Stripes," "Imperial Edward," "Manhattan. Beach," "Semper Fidelia,' "Hands Across the Sea," and "Federal" for Australia. Among his light operas are "El Capitan, "DesirSe," "The American Maid," ' "Queen of Hearts," "Bride-Elect," "Free Lance," "Chris and His Wonderful Lamp," "The Glass-Blowers','/ and "The Charlatan," given in London as "The Mystical Miss." In addition to eight band suites, "Sheridan's ?flde,'' "The Chariot Race," and many djances and songs, he wrote novels, verse> and . magazine articles.