Many honours have been secured by Lady Halle, the famous violinist, since she made her London debut sixty years ago. But that of which she is most proud is the distinctive title of " Violinist to the Queen," which Queen Alexandra conferred upon her eight years ago. Lady Halle was about five years of age when she first began to study the violin, and in 1848 she made her first English appearance at the old Princess's Theatre, though at the time she was only ten years of age. The reception accorded to her on that occasion, she says, " was so warm and so kindly sympathetic that I have ever since felt at home and at ease with English audiences." As a matter of fact, Lady Halle has for the last two years practically settled in London. For many years she resided in Berlin, but after the death of Joachim she decided to come to London, her decision being somewhat hastened on account of a very gracious letter she received from Queen Alexandra, who assured her that she would be very welcome in London. It is an interesting fact that, although Lady Halle possesses several rare violins, she never plays in public on any but the Stradivarius which was presented to her as a joint gift from the Duke of Edinburgh and the Earls of Dudley and Hardwicke.

Lady Halle Elliot & Fry