Ole Bull

Native of Bergen, Norway; internationally renowned violinist known for his improvisation and technical dexterity, including playing four notes at once; helped establish the Norwegian Theater, where playwrights Henrik Ibsen and Bjornstjerne Bjornson received their start; advised Edvard Grieg’s family concerning his musical training, for which help Grieg dedicated his first set of folk songs to Bull; undertook extensive concert tours, 1829–80. (See New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 3:445–48; Bull, Ole Bull; GQC journal, Sept. 7, 1854.)