NEW ZEALAND SINGERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2812, 1 July 1916, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND SINGERS

SCORE IN OPERA IN MILAN VERNON C, REDWOOD AND HIS WIFE. His Grace Archbishop Redwood has received copies of (Several Milanese newspapers chronicling the wonderful success made in opera.by his.nephew, Mr. .Vernon Charles Kedwood, formerly of "Itiverlands," Blenheim, and his wife, who less than two years ago went to Milan to study singing with a view to an operatic career. It is some considerable time'since they left New Zealand, having somo twenty years ago taken up their residence in Toowoomba, Queensland. Mr. Kedwood was at one time a student at St. Patriot's College, and the fact that he decided on a Tocal career comparatively late in life makes the achievement of both all the more remarkable. The following personal' and appreciative Jioto has been translated from the Milan paper, "Rivista Teatralo Melodrammaitca"

"Mary Redwood, born at Brisbane, Queensland, of an exceedingly artistic nature, and gifted with a sweet, full, rich voice, was twice awarded the championship gold medal for soprano solo out of five hundred competitors. Having come to Milan to devote herself to the. art for which she cherished an ardent passion, she consented to appear in the Theatre Garden of Cesona.

"The graceful Margherita received from tho sympathetic audience that thronged the theatre continuous applause and most beautiful flowers for the singing of the aria, 'The Jewel Song,' which :she rendered with the most ardent expression, and for lier duet with the ' tenor, which was remarkable for the most passionate fervour 'with which it' was eung. "Vernon Charles Redwood was born in New . Zealand. Being highly esteemed for his great culture, ho was twice elected unanimously member of Parliament, lie was also president of tho Chamber of Commerce and of the Austral Socioty, a distinguished society of music, art, and literature. Having an ardent passion for the lyric devoted himself to it with wonderful enthusiasm. His debut in the masterpiece of Gounod, in which he was warmly applauded, especially in the aria and in the most beautiful love duet, could not have met with a happier suocess.- As evidence of this we have the most flattering criticisms, which wo publish, of the newspapers of Cesena and-Bologna." : . The "Chronicle of Cesena" of January 25 says:— "On Friday we had the second representation, -with the debut of two artiste, who, promise a great future in lyric art. The part of Dr. Faust was" sustained by Signor Carlo Zelandini (V. C. Bedwood), and that of Margherita by SignoraMaria' ..Brisfani; (Mrs. Redwood). The two artists from the very beginning gained the sympathy . of the'numerous audience that filled the theatre, by the richness of their voices, tho sweetness, of .their singing, and their perfect pronunciation of Italian, although they have been but a short time in Italy. The'tenor, Zelandini, in the romance, 'Salve Dimora,' enraptured the audienco, who applauded him vociferously again and again. The soprano, Brisbani, was an ideal Margherita in the 'Jewel Song' and in tho love duet, and Received loud applauso und many /bouquets of flowers. At the end of each act the two artists wore repeatedly irecalled before tho footlights, and most warmly applauded. ,Wo cherish tho desire, which we hope will ba gratified, of 'hearing these two clover artists in 'Eigoletto.'" From the.abovo it will be seen that both Mr. and Mrs. Bedwood have deferred to tradition by utilising the names of,their native places in an Italianised form as their professional names.- Both artists have been in London for the past two' months, and were to have made their debut there during June.