DAVIDSOHN, GEORG:

By: Isidore Singer, Benuel H. Brumberg

German journalist; born at Danzig, Prussia, Dec. 19, 1835; died in Berlin Feb. 6, 1897. He was originally destined for a merchant's career, but in 1856 went to Berlin, and acted for various newspapers as reporter of events in the economic and business world. He joined the editorial staff of the "Berliner Börsen-Zeitung" in 1860, devoting himself mainly to the commercial department; but soon found opportunity for also exercising his literary gifts as a feuilletonist in the weekly supplement to this paper, which he founded under the title "Die Börse des Lebens." He made the review of musical events and the criticism of operas his specialty. In 1868 Davidsohn established the "Berliner Börsen-Courier," which he conducted till his death, retaining the position as its chief editor even after 1884, when it became the property of a joint-stock company.

Personally intimate with Richard Wagner, Davidsohn was the first advocate of his productions in the Berlin press. He was one of the founders of the first Berlin Wagnerverein, and subsequently became an enthusiastic advocate of the Wagnerian theatrical arrangements in Bayreuth, thus championing the composer's cause at a time when it met with general animosity and opposition.

S. B. B.