Camilla: A Tale of a Violin: Being the Artist Life of Camilla Urso — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Camilla: A Tale of a Violin: Being the Artist Life of Camilla Urso
John Stuart Mill · en
The party took rooms at the Occidental Hotel and the very first evening
Madam Urso was honored by a serenade, though no announcement of her
arrival had been made. Certainly, the musical people of the Pacific
Slope were eager to welcome her. It seemed so, for on announcing a
concert at Platt Hall, there was a greater demand for tickets than had
ever been known in that part of the country for any entertainment
whatever its character. Three more concerts were given with every
available seat and standing place occupied, and then three sacred
concerts on successive Sunday evenings at the California Theatre, were
announced. All of these concerts were of a classical character, the
first of the kind ever given in the State and to bring them out properly
the best talent to be found was engaged, including the Brignoli Opera
Troupe then traveling in California.
Never in her experience had concert giving been more successful and
profitable than here. It seemed as if she had captured all their hearts
and brought the golden State to her feet by one wave of her violin bow.
Deeply sensible of the feelings of respect and admiration entertained
for her by the people she resolved in some way to testify her
appreciation and to give material expression of her thanks. She looked
about for some worthy institution upon which she could bestow the
benefit of a series of concerts, or musical festival. After some
investigation and private correspondence Madam Urso wrote the following
letter that was dated at the Occidental Hotel, San Francisco, December
1st 1869.
_To the President and Board of Directors of the Mercantile
Library Association of San Francisco_:
GENTLEMEN: The present embarrassment of your Society having come
to my knowledge, and wishing in some suitable manner to show my
gratitude to the people of this city for the kindness and
appreciation I have met with during my visit, I have thought of
no better method to do so than in offering you the benefit of a
grand musical entertainment such as I originally intended giving
here, with the sincere hope that it may prove a help towards
relieving the Mercantile Library of its present difficulties.
Should my offer be accepted, I will, gentlemen, consecrate all
my time during the two months necessary for its preparation, to
make it a grand success. I am gentlemen, Yours obediently
CAMILLA URSO.