Wilma Neruda, Lady Hallé, originally Wilhelmine Maria Franziska Neruda was a Moravian violinist.
Background
She was born in Brno, Moravia, then part of the Austrian Empire, and came from a family long famous for musical talent. Her father, Josef Neruda (1807–1875) the organist of the cathedral of Brno, introduced her to the piano but Wilhelmine was caught secretly playing her brother"s violin, which she preferred, and finally allowed to play lieutenant
Education
The family moved to Vienna, where she studied with Professor Leopold Jansa (1795–1875).
Career
At those times, the violin was not considered a proper instrument for a woman. She made her first public appearance as a violinist in Vienna at the age of seven, playing one of Bach"s violin sonatas. When he was knighted later the same year, she became Lady Hallé.
He died in 1898 climbing in the Dolomites.
After her son"s death, she moved to Berlin. Lady Hallé continued to stay parts of the year in London, however, and Queen Alexandra appointed her Violinist to the Queen in late 1901.
She died in 1911 in Berlin, Germany, aged 73. Joachim and Neruda performed Bach"s Double Violin Concerto together at a Street James" Hall Monday Popular Concert in April 1892.
James Scott Skinner wrote a tune titled "Madame Neruda" in her honor.
Henri Vieuxtemps and Niels Gade devoted musical pieces to her. In A Study in Scarlet, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote of Holmes"s attending one of her concerts.