A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Tua, Maria

TUA, Maria Felicita, known as Teresina, was born May 22, 1867, at Turin. She completed her musical education at the Paris 'Conservatoire,' where she received instruction on the violin from M. Massart, and obtained in 1880 a 'premium' or first prize. She afterwards played with brilliant success in concert tours over the greater part of the continent. On May 5, 1883, she made her first appearance in England at the Crystal Palace, and played with so much success that she was re-engaged for the concert of the following week. She played at the Philharmonic on May 9 and 30; at the Floral Hall Concerts June 9; at Mr. Cusins's concert, with whom she was heard in Beethoven's 'Kreutzer' Sonata; and at other concerts. She returned to the continent, and did not re-appear for the season of 1884 as was expected. Apropos to her first appearance in London, May 9, the critic of the 'Daily Telegraph' mentioned that 'she was heard under more favourable circumstances. Yet even St. James's Hall is too large for an artist whose delicacy of style and small volume of tone suit the narrow limits of a "chamber." Her playing was marked by very high qualities, such as exquisite phrasing, refinement, with power of expression and executive skill equal to almost every call upon it.' It was also marked by an obvious tendency to caricature the style of a great living artist, which though amusing, hardly added to the artistic qualities of Signora Tua's performances.

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