MADAME GITTA ALPAR

Evening Star, Issue 19802, 28 February 1928, Page 7

MADAME GITTA ALPAR

CHARMING HUNGARIAN MEZZO TO SING IN DUNEDIN. Dunedin music-lovers are on Saturday evening, March 3, to have the privilege of hearing a most talented artiste in Madame Gitta Alpar, a celebrated Hungarian mezzo-soprano of high ability, who, in giving her concert, will be assisted by local artists of first-class calibre. Among these will be the following:—Miss Eva Scott, Miss Margaret Gawnc, Mr G. W. Johnstone, and Mr Max Scherek. Madame Alpar, who has acted in light opera in her own country, has a truly magnificent voice, and by her charming personality and dainty acting has won her way into tho hearts of all who have attended her performances throughout New Zealand.

After her course at a Hungarian academv Madame Alpar appeared in the light opera ‘ Tatarjaras,’ in which sho took the role of a young soldier boy, and sin? was enjoying quite a success when she married and left tho stage. Her husband decided to start in business in New Zealand, and the family—there are two little boys—settled 'in Auckland about eighteen months ago. But after twelve months’ residence Madame lost her husband in most tragic circumstances, and is now using her talent to support herself and her '’children, and to gain enough money to return lo Hungary to further her studies. Her hope is to return to Now Zealand and to establish a school—in effect a miniature theatre academy—in this country. Madame Alpar, who has a most attractive personality, redolent of that land of romance, laughter, and soim of which she is a native, has an excellent voice with wonderful range and power. A Palmerston North newspaper, after its critic had attended one of her performances, commented upon it in this strain: “Madame Alpar revealed herself as a true artist in every sense of the word. Nothing like her work has over been presented hero before, and the manner in which it was given gave it a double value. Possessed of a powerful voice and a vivid personality, she sang and danced through a senes of Hungarian songs in a manner that made an irresistible appeal. In all the numbers she showed artistry of a high order, and their quaintne&s and originality ' made them altogether dclightBcsidos being assured ot a treat the public, by attending Saturday’s concert, will bo enabled to do a little towards assisting' the visitor. The concert, which is under the patronage ot Sir Robert and Lady Stout, will he held in the Burns Hall.