The local music world was incredulous in early 1905 when Lella Parr announced her intentions.

A member of the music faculty at Indiana State Normal School, Parr assumed the responsibility for establishing what she called an "Artists' Course."

Under Parr's format, musicians of international renown would be brought to Terre Haute to present concerts and encourage area musicians.

The first guest she booked was Dutchman Anton Hekking, for many years the solo cellist with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and ranked by many as the best cellist in the world. Moreover, Hekking's cello was acclaimed to be the finest in the world.

The second artist was sensational German-American operatic soprano Johanna Gadski. She was followed by Russian-born piano virtuoso Vladimir de Pachmann. As might be expected, music scholars were excited and impressed.

"The Artists' Course, which Miss Parr has arranged, is one of the finest things Terre Haute has ever had," Gertrude Hazeldine raved. "It will be wonderful in its effect upon musical students."

"Through the untiring efforts of Miss Parr," professor Herman Leibing declared, "the people will have an opportunity of hearing music interpreted by world famous artists. The idea prevails among certain classes of society that compositions of the great masters are enjoyable only to advanced students. Music is not selfish, it is universal."

Local music teacher Eva Alden was equally ecstatic: "Terre Haute musicians are being offered a feast of music that has never been equaled in our city."

The Hekking concert in the Grand Opera House on Jan. 17, 1905, was a social event. Local newspapers spent as much time describing the gowns of the women in attendance and the parties preceding the concert as it did reviewing the program.

Nevertheless, it was an unequivocal success: "He came, he played, he conquered!" wrote the Terre Haute Morning Star the next day. "From the first note to the last, the king of cellists held the big audience spellbound "

Hekking was accompanied by soprano Mary Hissem de Moss, who coincidentally attended the Cincinnati College of Music with Terre Haute's Anna Hulman. She also was lauded for her voice and style. Accomplished pianist Edwin Schneider of Chicago supported both performers.

The eccentric Hekking arrived in the city on Monday, Jan. 16, and stayed until Saturday, Jan. 21, "because I fell in love with the quietness of Terre Haute and, having several days before a concert in Pittsburgh (Jan. 22), decided to stay here and rest as long as possible."

There was another reason. "You will see more beautiful women in Terre Haute than in Paris or Berlin," Hekking said with a wink. "The night of the concert I kept one eye on the cello and the other on the pretty faces in the audience."

During his frequent walks downtown, Hekking repeatedly went out of his way to open doors for women, each time removing his hat and bowing politely. If Hekking was disappointed while in Terre Haute for any reason, it was because he could not find a bottle of Wurzburger beer.

Madame Gadski's concert took place on Monday, Feb. 6. Considered by many as the greatest soprano in the world, she displayed extraordinary versatility. Her voice was a "marvel of vocal art," according to one review, and she returned for numerous encores among shouts of "Bravo!"

Though only 33 years old in 1905, Gadski had been singing professionally since 1888. Born in Anklam, Prussia, she made her New York debut on March 1, 1895, and became a resident member of the Metropolitan Opera Company in 1899, leaving in 1904 as the result of a salary dispute.

Gadski's husband was a German army officer so her career came to a temporary halt during World War I. However, she made a celebrated return to Carnegie Hall in New York on Oct. 30, 1921, and was still popular in 1932 when she was killed in an auto accident at age 60.

Hailed as the world's greatest interpreter of Chopin, pianist de Pachmann presented his concert on March 16.

Though the Grand was packed with an appreciative audience, his visit was untimely. The week before de Pachmann's appearance, the famous Polish pianist and composer Ignace Paderewski presented a concert at the Grand. Moreover, de Pachmann was suffering from a cold.

Paderewski's enthusiasm and unselfishness warmed the hearts of the Terre Haute audience. De Pachmann, on the other hand, was noncommittal.

"Aside from the lack of spirit that entered into the playing," the Terre Haute Morning Star reported the next day, "the opera house was heated to almost suffocating. And no attention was paid to lighting the house to make an effect which would lend enchantment to the music."

Coincidentally, a biography titled "Vladimir De Pachmann: A Piano Virtuoso's Life and Art," by Mark Mitchell, is being released by Indiana University Press in March 2003.

On May 1, the Artists' Course concert featured Eugene Ysaye of Belgium, considered one of the world's greatest violinists. And, on the following night, Italian baritone Giuseppe Campanari was the honored guest.

Though Miss Parr's 1905 concerts were popular among those sophisticated in the classical arts, Terre Haute theaters -- particularly the Grand Opera House -- offered abundant theatrical and vaudeville fare.

During the first three months of 1905, local audiences also were treated to George M. Cohan in "Little Johnny Jones," Eva Tanguay (twice), Otis Skinner, William H. Crane, Julia Dean, Joseph Jefferson Jr., boy violinist Franz von Vecsey and a host of other vaudeville and theatrical stars.

Mike McCormick is the Vigo County historian. His column appears each Sunday.