WHEN WAGNER VISITED LONDON.

Lake County Press, Issue 2134, 6 September 1906, Page 6

WHEN WAGNER VISITED LONDON.

^ — Alfred Keisonauer, the pianist, tells an amusing incident of Wagner's experiences in Condon. Wagner was requested lis be especially amiable to Cord Catkin, a most unmusical man, i but of high social position. 11l due season the two were presented, "Where is your entertainment he be?" asked his lordship after the introduction, when Wagner's forth-' coming conceil was mentioned "At St . James's Hall, replii d :he ' composer. "1 trusi your lordship Will be able to come." " I mas, I may," replied the great personage. The concert took place as scheduled , and a week or more later a patron j of Wagner gave a soiree in honour • of the composer. Cord fat km was prominent among the guests, ami he siezed de lirsi opportunity to walk ov .-r iii Wagner and couerat uliH e J him. •■ | was at your onterl aiuiueul ." he said. and I don't know w hell I've j eniov eil an; I hing more I laughed I till I cried. Vull are s ers fiilin.s 1 Heft' Wagner." The conipan;. stopped l alking and tin amazed look spread over Wagner's face, "I'm: you know," continued the affable lord, "it, wa.s almost half an hour before I recognised you, with black face and crinkly hair." When Cord Catkin slopped laugh ing he saw that he was alone in his merriment . "Why—what 1 hope I hasc.n'i It was Si. .James's Hall, wasn't it. V I—er " Some one then explained that St. James's Hall consisted of an upper and a lower auditorium, and that his lordship had evidenlfl.s wandered into one where a troupe of minstrels were giving a jubilee entertainment.