# Klesmer — Daniel Deronda character guide

> Klesmer in Daniel Deronda by George Eliot.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Herr Klesmer, Julius Klesmer, the unconquered Klesmer

**First appearance:** 0010-vi

## Snapshot

A magnificent, brow-knitting German-Jewish musician whose blunt judgments can crown a singer with praise or quietly consign her to private drawing-rooms.

## Who they are

Klesmer arrives at the Meyricks' little parlor like a force of nature, stretching out his long hand to declare Mirah 'a musician' and then warning her, 'We are no skylarks.' His honesty is both gift and gate: he opens professional doors for Mirah while refusing to flatter, and his pronouncements carry the weight of genuine artistic authority. He matters because he represents the novel's standard of real vocation, against which Gwendolen's dilettantism and the drawing-room world's pretensions are measured.

## In the story

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/v)

A renowned musician staying at Quetcham Hall; he critiques Gwendolen's singing, asserting his artistic superiority.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/vi)

Klesmer is the musical Magus who has widened Gwendolen's horizon and is frequently between London and Quetcham.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xi)

Dances with Gwendolen, criticizes her words and jokes, discusses wit and humor, and identifies Mr. Lush as an amateur fond of Meyerbeer and Scribe.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxi)

The musician to whom Gwendolen writes a letter requesting advice on her future course of action.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxii)

Receives Gwendolen's note, leaves Quetcham after declaring his love for Catherine Arrowpoint and facing her parents' opposition.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxiii)

Delivers a frank critique of Gwendolen's artistic prospects; reveals his engagement to Miss Arrowpoint and offers to help Gwendolen with training.

### [Chapter XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxxix)

Visits the Meyrick home to hear Mirah sing; offers a professional assessment of her voice, praising her musicianship but advising against a stage career.

### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xlv)

Klesmer plays the piano and later praises Mirah's singing.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/klesmer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters