The Violin with Human Strings and Other Tales of Musical Madness

Though primarily remembered today for having written the libretto for Verdi’s opera Aida, Ghislanzoni (1824–1893) was a prolific writer of novels, stories, libretti, and journalism whose passion for music inspired the four fascinating tales collected here. The fantastical title entry follows a young French violinist determined to challenge the virtuoso Paganini, at even the most diabolical of costs. “Daniel Nabaäm De-Schudmoëken” pokes fun at the snobbery of the 19th-century classical music scene, as a young pianist must leave behind his unwieldy name to be welcomed into the salons to which he aspires. In the romantic tragedy “Rubly’s Trumpet,” a talented young trumpeter aims to become so good he can summon the soul of his dead wife from beyond the grave. “Autobiography of an Ex-Vocalist” sends things out on a comic note, following a credulous young man as he attempts to train up as a tenor. Ghislanzoni’s lively characters and sardonic wit feel fresh and the emotions that animate these stories are as powerful as the day they were written. Fans of fin de siècle literature should snap this up. (Dec.)