Misjudged.

Otago Witness, Issue 2088, 1 March 1894, Page 49

Misjudged.

In his early youth Carl Maria yon Weber showed but little aptitude for music, and his tutor, Fridolin, who had often wrapped him on the knuckles for his want of attention during the violin lessons, one day threw down his bow in a passion, saying : '• It's not a, bit of use, Carl ; you'll never make a musician."

A similar remark was made by Richard Wagner's stepfather after the latter had heard him play the "Bridal Wreath" from Der Freischutz on the piano.

George Bizet, the composer of •' Carmen," had attained to riper years when a like unfavourable judgment was passed upon him. At the age of 19-he had conferred upon him the groat "Pri* de Rome" of the Paria Oon«

seryatory, which provides for a three years* residence in Italy. Bizet spent nearly the whole of that time in Rome, paying only a flying visit to Naples, where ha had no opportunity to deliver a letter of recommendation from his tutor, Hal<svy, to Mercadante. On Wb return to Rome, however, he thought he would see what the old gentleman bad to say about htm. Breaking open the letter, ho read as follows : —

"My Old Fhiend,— l strongly recommend to you the bearer of these lines, M. Bizet, a laureate of our institute. He ia an amiable young man, a splendid fellow, who deserves every encouragement; but (between you and me) he has not a spark of musical talent."