A traveling cello wonder
François Servais was born on June 6, 1807 in Halle as son of cobbler Jean-Baptiste Servais and housewife Joséphine Bande. From childhood it turned out that he had an exceptional musical talent. He was part of the church orchestra and was discovered by Marquis Jules the La Croix the Chevrieres the Sayve who introduced him to Corneille Of the Plancken, the first violinist of the orchestra of the Royal Mint Theatre In Brussels. Thanks to him and the French cellist Nicolas platel did he get the chance to be special gift to develop.
He became conductor at the Royal Harmony Saint Cecilia Halle and taught to the Royal Conservatory of Brussels but also wanted his talent beyond the national borders develop further.
In 1833 he traveled to Paris for the first time, immediately starting his international cello career. Then followed The United Kingdom, The Netherlands and Germany. In 1839 he undertook a months-long concert tour through Russia, followed by a successful tour in Vienna. He played alongside famous composers such as Felix Mendelssohn and Ferdinand David and also got to know the German composer Robert Schumann. During one of his trips through Russia he became acquainted with the charming one Sophie Feygin who would later become his wife. She fulfilled during many musical performances the role of impresario and negotiated the buyout fee from the concert. After all, part of the trips was made to lavish maintain the family’s lifestyle.
On his second Russia trip he played for the prince family Youssoupov. It is said that Princess Tatiana Vasilievnan Youssoupov as a patron an important part had in Servais’ purchase of the famous Stradivarius cello from 1701 back then which was auctioned.
In 1847 the Servais-Feygin . family left to build an imposing villa in Halle in which he incorporated the many influences from his travels. Villa Servais from then on became his favorite home base and the meeting place for local and international musicians and artists. Take a seat in the cozy tearoom of the villa and travel with us Japan, Netherlands , Germany, United Kingdom, Turkey, Russia , France and Austria .