German praise for Matheson

Press, 16 April 1979, Page 5

German praise for Matheson

NZPA London | For the second time in I less than a month the New | Zealand conductor, John Matheson, has won wide acclaim in West Germany. Conducting Hindemith’s "Cardilla” in Mannheim last week, Mr Matheson met unanimous praise from the critics and a host of “bravo” calls from the audience. i “With sovereign control . John Matheson motivated j the Mannheim National i Theatre Orchestra to HindeImith,” wrote one leading [ German critic. “There was [literally no weak moment.” The Mannheim audience’s [reaction to the performance I was considered “miraculous” [as they are regarded as [arch-conservatives and not readily receptive to contemporary works. Mr Matheson has been the [first conductor at the Na- [ tional Theatre in Mannheim [since August, 1977. The [ town is rich in musical [tradition and the founding ‘city of the modern symphony orchestra. This latest success for Mr ■ Matheson follows his appearance in Recklinghausen [early in March conducting [ the Hungarian Philharmonia, ; when he was acclaimed as [ “a born master of the orchestra.” In June, he will take his [ next big step up in Germany when he conducts the Radio Symphony Orchestra Of Ber- | lin, generally considered as I Europe's leading symphony orchestra. It will also mark his debut in Berlin. The orchestra will perform a variety of works by French and Italian Impressionist composers. | The Otago-born conductor has been in Germany for i several years. Before that he I spent many years as conductor at the Covent Garden ’Opera House in London. The New Zealand baritone, i Barry Mora, has had high I praise lavished upon him

tlfrom around the world after! his Frankfurt Opera debut ) singing Tamare in Schreker’s < “Die Gezeichneten.” 1 It was the first presenta- - tion of the opera in Germany since before the war > and consequently was the t subject of much interest, not t only in Europe but in Brit- ; ain and the United States. ’ “The work contains three super-roles. Barry Mora! [ handled his the best,” wrote 1 the critics for “Die Welt,” 1 an internationally circulated! - newspaper published in : Hamburg. j Mr Mora’s agent said that the Palmerston North-born > ; baritone was extremely for-) > tunate in making his Frank-) ’ furt opera debut in a pro-| ; duction in which there was; t such wide interest. Franz Schreker was the! most performed opera com-) poser in Germany before the j war, but because he was ai [Jew his works were banned! >|by the Nazis. He died from; [la stroke in 1934 said to have) dbeen caused by Nazi in-; ’ timidation. I Mr Mora recently accepted; - a 15-concert guest contract! ! with the Frankfurt Opera,) and a house contract for the! , 1980-82 seasons. He has; ’ been in Germany since 1976. i ! He will make his London! ’ debut later this month at the! Roval Festival Hall. Last month Mr Mora sang; )in Bad Godesberg in West; Germany, accompanied by ’ another' New Zealander, ’ Michael Houstoun. at a con-' ) cert organised by the New! , Zealand High Commission in! ‘ Bonn. The programme included a| J New Zealand composition,! 1 Douglas Lilburn’s “Elegy,”! ’ I composed in 1952. “One was introduced to ai J voice, which was produced; jin a sovereign manner, used! intelligently and yet with) ij spontaneous expression.”! )wrote the music critic in! ’lone of Bonn's main news-: ; papers.