Fritz Bovet
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Fritz Bovet (fl. 1845-1888) was a Swiss romantic era composer and violinist whose only work now (10/06) in print is his String Quartet, op. 14, published by Merton Music. In this publication, Merton refers to a writing of Wilhelm Altmann (1862 - 1951), who recorded that “this quartet was published in Plymouth in 1911".
Merton continues: "but of Fritz Bovet himself not a word is to be found in any musical reference book. From [1] - about the famous Swiss watchmaking firm of Bovet, which had a flourishing trade with China - you will learn that Fritz was the grandson of the founder of the firm and was sent to Canton in 1845 where he was noted for playing his violin "with the enthusiasm of a Paganini," where he collected and transcribed Chinese popular melodies for incorporation in his firm's musical boxes, and where he became French vice-consul."
[2] further reports that in 1888 Bovet Frères was founded by someone who had done his apprenticeship at Fritz Bovet's "watchmaking workshop".
