DAMILLA URSO.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1938, 11 May 1880, Page 3

DAMILLA URSO.

As will be seen, by reference to an advertisement, notice is drawn to the speedy arrival of Camilla Urso, the celebrated violiniste. Tho following particulars as to her career are taken from a contemporary, and are of general interest: —Camilla Lreo is the daughter of Salvatore Urso, cr Palermo, Sicily, and of Madame Emelie, his wife, a Portuguese lady. The father of Camilla played the flute, of which ho was an acknowledged master, on week evenings in the theatre or opera house of the old French town of Nantes, where he resided some years, and on Sunday he played the organ at the Church of the Holy Cross. Madame Urso, tho mother of Camilla, possessed a fine voice, and assisted her husband in Ha music lessons. Camilla, at this time but four years of age, accompanied her father to the Theatre, and there seated in the orchestra, listened with intense devotion to the musical performances of her parents. 3he made up her mind from that time to ba a violinist, and ultimately succeeded. She continued at her exercise with her mind in her studies, and her gradual but sure progress in the divine art attracted the notice of tho leading musicians of the day, who complimented the young violinist warmly and bid her God speed in her musical march. A grand concert was arranged for the benefit of the widow of a musician of Nantes, when it was decided that Camilla Urso should make her dehut. The venture was a complete triumph, the hour of success had come, and M. Sollie, the leader of orchestra, in tho name of the musicians, endeavored to crown the young violinist with a wreath of white camellias, but the wreath was too largo not for her genius but for her form, and it slipped over her head and shoulders to the stage. Presents innumerable were sent to the lady, and praise from the Press and all quarters lavished upon her. Her father subsequently took her to Paris, and solicited permission at the Conservatory of Music for his promising little daughter. Auber, who was director, looked at the small figure before him with astonishment. She was, ultimately, admitted into the presence of her critics, including Auher, Rossini, JCaraffa and Alara. Without going into particulars of tho ordeal to which she was subjected, wo may state that the “ little Urso was admitted ”to the unbounded delight of her parents. Since that period she has travelled in many lands, and her career, despite a few shadows, has been a series of musical triumphs.