MADAME KIRKBY LUNN.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1604, 22 November 1912, Page 3

MADAME KIRKBY LUNN.

e- ■ INTERVIEW WITH ME. FRANK TAIT. Mr. Frank Tait, of the firm of J. and N. Tait, has arrived in Wellington to make tho pathway straight for the coming of Madame Kirkby Lunn, tho eminent English contralto. In the course of an interview last evening Mr. Tait talked interestingly of his latest "star" and what is of to music-lovers of the good things that are coming along later. "Originally,". said Mr. Tait, "we engaged Madame Kirkby Lunn for a season of twenty-five.concerts, but owing to the enormous success she achieved in Australia the contract has been extended to embrace forty concerts. Judging by her London.programme Lunn had a preference for classical music, and I was just a little afraid as to .whether such music would be received with the appreciation it deserved. She commenced with a group of classical songs, including the .'Sappische Ode' of ■Brahms, a calm flowing type of song with no brilliant flights of vocalism. It was a revelation. She has had to sing the 'Ode' at every concert since, and I believe it is a sign that the taste in matters musical is greatly improving in Australia. Tho extreme- beauty and ( sympathy of her voice combined with' interpretive powers of extraordinary value win. every audience. She is one of those rare beings— an nrtist. "Her repertoire is endless. Included in it for the Wellington concerts will be the aria '0 Don Fatale,' from 'Don Carlos,' "Oho Faro' (Gluck), '0 Ma Lyre Munortelle,' which Calve sang so well, and 'Softly Awakes My Hearf (from Sanson and Delilah). Then she has some beautiful groups of tho songs of Schubert, Brahms, and Schumann in which sho is superb, and a . lot of new ballads by Lohr, Florence Aylward, Needham, and . others. One of her big successes has been "The Three Fishers'." There's no doubt that sho feels everything sho sings, and conveys her feelings to all who hear her. —a rare gift. "The' supporting company is a good one. Mr. William Murdoch is an exceptionally fins pianist, and his accompaniments (he only accompanies Madame) arc a treat to listen to. Mr. Andrew Shanks, the baritone, has a big, robust voice and good dramatic powers to help him, and .31. Andre de Ribaupierre is a young violinist of great talent.'" "Our coming attractions include a tour next year of Madame Clara Butt and Mr. Kennerley Itumford, who made such a success five years ago. They commence a tour of (lie United .States under our management at tho Carnegie Hall, New York, .on Saturday week (November 28), and after a tour across tho States open in Sydney on May 15 next. New Zealand will be visited in August next. Mr. John M'Cormack, tho fine operatic and concert tenor, will commence a tour in Melbourne in August next, and will visit New Zealand later. Last, but by no means least, there is Harry Lauder, who wo bavo been tryin'g. to get for five years past. ■ .When I was in London in 1910 T was able'to clinch tlw'engag'emcnt—for. thrc9 and a half'years ahead, and ho comes to us in 191-1. He will be supported by a high-class vaudeville company, and ; wlll ; appear--in, theatres. also .bringing-out the "Smart Sot" Company, a company of tho best type, and '.next, yejnvw will -introduce "A Japanese Village." We' are' at present building m Melbourne what will be tho finest concert hall in Australasia—a. real' concern hall which differs somewhat from the ordinary run of town halls, lou will judge of the hall when I tell you that tho heating and ventilating arrangement aro costing .£3000." Mr Tait says that Madame Kirkby Lunn will arrive at Auckland on Sunday, and will /give her first concert m New Zealand on. Monday next.