SINGERS PROM DENMARK

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2615, 10 November 1915, Page 3

SINGERS PROM DENMARK

SIGURD LISTRUP AND HIS WIFE. s I Visiting Wellington at the present time are two Danish singers, who found tho conditions existing in Europe at tho present time detrimental to the artistic oareer, and have sought sanctuary in New Zealand until the war has ended. These are Mr. Sigurd Listrup mid Madam Listrup, who hail from Copenhagen, where both of them underwent their earlier vocal training. Mr. Listrup, who is quite a young man, is a Wagnerian baritone of undeniable capacity, possessing in his physical and vocal make-up tiho true characteristics essential for a singer of Wagnerian roles. : Tho writer was privileged to hear him sing yesterday, and was impressed with 'his power and the "colour" of his voice, no loss than with his artistic methods, and should he elect to siog m Wellington, as is not unlikely, one cannot but anticipate that he will impress local eoncertgoers, for singers of his type are but seldom heard •in these parts. Mr. Listrup sang two oxcerpts from "Taunhauser" (one, "0 Star of Eve"), and Schumann's noble song, "The Two Grenadiers." In him is combined good schooling, a fine vocal equipment, splendid delivery, and deep feeling. Whilst he has dynamic powers at his control, he can without effort subdue them to the domands of the tenderest sentiment. His reading of the Schumann song was inspiring. In the course of a chat, Mr. Listrup stated that' he was fulfilling an operatio engagement at Kiel when the war broke out on August 2 of last year, and at once all contracts were broken, and the season came abruptly to a close. As it was not a desirable place for any foreigner to be in, he and his wife returned almost immediately to Copenhagen, where he had sung at the Royal Opera House. But as conditions were not good and the salaries were not of enticing dimensions, he resolved to seek some place remote from the strife until more favourable conditions were restored'. So he and his wife travelled to New. Zealand, arriving here in April jast. Since then ho has been engaged in farming pursuits near Wanganui, burying his talent in a. closer regard for Mother Earth. But that which is in him has called him back to the world, of men, and he has serious thoughts ot settling down in Wellington to teach ivocalism and sing whenevor opportunity presents itself. The Danish bass-bari-tone has an extensive repertoire of tho songs of Schumann, Schubert, Ambrpiso Thomas, Dupont, as well as numerous Danish and Norwegian composers. . His English is indifferent, but he sings in French, Danish, Norse, and German, and has played leading Wagnerian roles in important European centres.

. Madam Listrup is a light soprano whose efforts up to the present have been restricted to the concert platform. She has,, however, acted and sung in scenes from opera (in costume) on the concert stage. ( ■ It. is hoped that these artists. from far away Denmark will be induced to give a recital in Wellington.