RUSSIAN COLONEL RUN THROUGH IN DUEL WITH OPERA DIRECTOR
Cabourg, France (JFK+50) On September 4, 1924, the Associated Press reports Raoul Gunsbourg*, composer and director of the Monte Carlo Opera fought a duel by sword yesterday with Russian Colonel Bezobrazoff on the sand dunes of Varaville**.
The Russian colonel was run through the right arm early on and had to retire from the contest. Both men left the field without shaking hands.
The duel came about when Mr. Gunsbourg overheard Col. Bezobrazoff making disparaging remarks at a cafe.
*Raoul Samuel Gunsbourg (1860-1955) was born in Bucharest, Romania & became the longest-serving director of the Opera de Monte-Carlo.
**Varaville, site of the Battle of Varaville, 1057, located in the Normandy region of NW France.
SOURCE
"Noted Composer Wounds Russian Colonel In Duel," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 4, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
