Camilla Urso has been for many years one of the best known violinists in the United States.  She was born at Nantes, in France, in 1842, of Italian parents.  Her father was Salvator Urso, a good musician, and son of a good musician, so that the young violinist inherited some of her talent.  In 1852 the family crossed the Atlantic and settled in the United States, and almost immediately the little girl began to appear at concerts.  Camilla Urso began to study the violin at the age of six years, and her choice of that instrument was determined by her hearing the violin and being fascinated by it during a celebration of the Mass of St. Cecilia.  She was taken to Paris for instruction, for which purpose her father abandoned his position at Nantes.  She entered the Conservatoire and became a pupil of Massart.

She made a tour through Germany, during which she met with immense success, and then returned to Paris to continue her studies.

She was fresh from Massart’s instruction when, in October, 1852, she made her first appearance in Boston, where her playing and her style called forth eulogies from the critics of those days.  John S. Dwight wrote to the effect that it was one of the most touching experiences of his life to see and hear the charming little maiden, so natural and childlike, so full of sentiment and thought, so self-possessed and graceful.  Her tone was pure, and her intonation faultless, and she played with a “fine and caressing delicacy,” and gave out strong passages in chords with thrilling grandeur.

For three years she continued to travel and delight American audiences, and then for a period of about five years she retired into private life, and did not resume her professional career until 1862, from which time she frequently made concert tours in America until she returned to Paris.  It was about the period of these tours that her influence upon young women began to be felt, for she was at an age when womanly grace becomes evident, and her manners and character were as fascinating as her playing.

In Paris she so pleased M. Pasdeloup that he begged her not to allow herself to be heard in public until she had played at his concerts.  “You may count upon a splendid triumph,” he said.  “It is I who tell you so.  Your star is in the ascendant, and soon it will shine at the zenith of the artistic firmament.”

The result justified the prophecy, and Camilla Urso was the recipient of great honours in Paris.  She was presented by the public with a pair of valuable diamond earrings, and was treated almost like a prima donna.

In March, 1867, Mlle. Urso received a testimonial from the musical profession in Boston, where a few years later she had a curious experience.  She was playing a Mozart concerto, at a concert, when an alarm of fire was given, and caused a good deal of excitement.  Many of the audience left their seats and made for the door, but the violinist stood unmoved until the alarm was subdued and the audience returned to their seats, when she played the interrupted movement through from the beginning.