A NEW CARMEN.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1728, 19 April 1913, Page 11

A NEW CARMEN.

MADAME PINSCHOF-HAEEIS INTERVIEWED.

. JJadamo Carmen Pinschof-Harrisi of Melbourne, who arrivedoby tho Warrimoo on-Thursday, ia a singer who talks music' with understanding and certitude. Being the daughter of Madame Wiedemann, tho talented instructress,'of vocalism at the Marshall Hall. Conservatoire in Mel- ' bourne, how could it be aught else? The talented mother of u talented daughter may not bo so well known in New Zealand, but- almost ■ wherever there is a piano and-a: sheet of music.-in Australia Madame's name is '-known and respected. The daughter is named Carmen, tor the simple reason that Carmen was her 'mother's', favourite role, when slid was oh the grand operatic stage in Austria ■ '.ind .Germany in her'younger days. When in. her' prime she was considered among -the four best Carnlens -that Germany ..or : Austria had ever produced, and her name ; is still remembered among the older folk, '— in Germany. On her marriage to Herr Pinschof, Madame Wiedemann retired from the- 1 stage,, and subsequently came out. to Melbourne, wlnjgo Herr Pinschof was - Consul for, Austria for twenty-five ■ years. With.such a-mother, it is natural that Madame Piuschof-Harris should be talented,'and that her tulent should run to music.-i ■■/'■' ■ ' " . ■ ■ "I have been learning music and singing all my life," said the visitor, "but I never had any.other teacher than my. mother. With ,us it is music for breakfast, dinner, and tea, and in between more music. I could hardly help learning under such circumstances, conld I?" "At the Conservatoire—Marshnll Hall's, youknow—we are at it all the time. My mother takes nil ■ the vocal classes, and always has ;niore pupils offering than she can manage. .The annual.concert given by the conservatoire is a pretty fair estimate of the.work they do. Let me see what I,can remember—they bave done tho first act of 'The' Merry Wives of Windsor* (Nicolai), the great'second act of 'Aida,' the'first act of 'The Hermit's Bell,' the hig .dramatic act in 'The Hugenots,' and the balcony scene from Marshall Hall's new opera 'Romeo and Juliet.' A new 1 opera, eh ? "Oh, yes—did you not know? Yes, he's gone to England to have it produced. It is. •a ■ splendid • work-r-treated with more fire: and passion,, .and . altogether a more -florid work than Gounod's: Madame Kirkby ! Lunn was immensely struck with it, and said that he would have no difficulty in getting it produced at Home. He is also going to try and hayo'his optra 'Stella' produced.in London. That', is another fine work of a lighter .order. Miss Rosina Buckmann was .splendid in the leading part in' Melbourne. Mr. Hall is going to try and

jet,her to play.it'in London, where she seems,to be doing .very well." You were ■with the German Opera' Company? ', ■''..-.;'.' '"Yes, but only for Carmen in Melbourne ill 1907 With fbe Musgrove Company." Did you sing it in German? "Yes, but that was no hardship.' 1. speak—we all speak German at HomeIt was a delightful experience,, and one that I shall never forget. They were all so kind. My mother, Mr. Schaaf, Herr Oeser (who was the Don Jose), all helped me. I only had one rehearsal with the company, but it went splendidly, and at the end I got twelve recalls and plenty Of flowers. ■"That was the only professional opera performance I have to my credit, but I have sung, l in plenty of operatic with amateurs at the competitions at Bendigo and. Ballarat—scenes from 'Aida,' 'Orpheus,' 'Roinco and Juliet,' 'Hansel and Grctel,' 'Merry' Wives;' and lots of others. It was tho best of fun. We usci' ' ■ pN up every year, and won lots of prizes. ; Then I won the gold medal for the bcs.. vocal solo at tho Women's Exhibition in Melbourne in 1907, and won gold and silver medals in the contralto and mezzo competitions.' Duets, :too—roy partner for a long time, was Miss Evelyn Scotney, who has been appearing ia grand opera in Boston, and is to apptar at Covcnt Garden coming reason." Arid what of your future intentions? "I am going to London with my husband (Mr. Harris), leaving Melbourne bv the Orsova on May 11. It is my intention to take up concert work, and if there arc any good chances I may oven try opera." ■ -. • Madame Pinschof-Harris is enamoured of the role of Carmen and looks forward with pleasure to the coming performance of the Choral Society on Tuesday evening next. ■ \'>