RICHARD CROOKS

Evening Star, Issue 22455, 28 September 1936, Page 7

RICHARD CROOKS

WORLD-FAMOUS TENOR The ordinary box plans for the only concert to be given in Dunedin on Monday next by the world-famous tenor, Richard Crooks, will be opened to-morrow morning at the D.I.C. Owing to the fact that the Australian tour of Richard Crooks had to be considerably extended the famous singer can only appear on seven' occasions in New Zealand. Two concerts are to be given at Wellington on September ?9 and October 1, two in Christchurch, one in Dunedin, on Monday night next, and two at Auckland, on October 10 and 13. Messrs J. and N. Tait endeavoured to Induce Mr Crooks to extend his stay in the Dominion, and he wished to do so, hut unfortunately his New York engagements could not be postponed, and he must definitely leave for America on October 15. It is interesting to note that his first broadcast engagement when he returns to New York entitles Richard Crooks to a fee of over 20,000d0i, or over £4,000. For his opening concert in Wellington the whole of the Town Hall has been completely sold out. This was the case in Sydney and Melbourne, where 14 concerts were given in each of these cities, yet thousands were unable to obtain admission. In his wellrounded art, with its comprehension of details in a satisfying unity, and his mastery of the finesse and technique, Richard Crooks joins the company of great tenors of our own and recent times. The best work done at his recitals bridges the gap that separates thi? age of noise from the days of a more gracious music, and shows that the lost art of the be] canto is not lost after all. Sore beset by modern instrumental uproars, it has survived in the art of such singers as Melba, M'Cormadc, Fernando de Lucia, and Battistini. Richard Crooks is said to be the only singer ever to have refused a Metropolitan Opera House contract; he was asked to sing at the Metropolitan fully five years before he appeared there, but turned the offers down, preferring to wait until he felt himself ready. When he did make his debut there in 1033 he “ stopped the show ” for nearly an hour, finding himself forced to return to the stage for 37 curtain calls.