RICHARD CROOKS

Evening Star, Issue 22460, 3 October 1936, Page 24

RICHARD CROOKS

GREAT INTERPRETATIVE ARTIST Heavy and continual bookisgs proclaim the unprecedented interest displayed in the forthcoming visit of the groat American tenor Richard Crooks, and augur well for the reception which will bo accorded this popular artist on Monday night next at the Town Hall. As it is possible to give only one concert in Dunedin it is anticipated that the Town Hall will be taxed to its utmost capacity. There are few more notable singers in the world to-day than Richard Crooks, and ho has perhaps the strongest claim to the title of the world’s most famous tenor, because of the almost Caruso-like powers he possesses. Radio has made the voice of Richard Crooks familiar to millions of musiclovers in all stations of life, and his vast repertoire has been able to satisfy all musical tastes through this medium. Only a happy man could sing as Richard Crooks does, and this happy mood he at once communicates to hi§ public. He puts his audience in a happy, receptive mood, and his programmes are so arranged that every member of the audience will find some of his favourite songs there, and will leave the concert with the feeling that the visit of Richard Crooks is the musical event of his life.

With a repertoire embracing opera, oratorio, and ballads the programme on Monday evening will include selections from the following; ‘lf Thou Be Near’ (Bach), ‘Serenade’ (Haydn), ‘ I Love Thee ’ (Beethoven), 1 Per Biota’ (Stradrlla), aria ‘he, Reve ’ from ‘ Manon ’ (Massenet). ‘TI Vi Eta ’ from ‘ Fedora ’ (Giordana), ‘ Wher’cr You Walk’ (Handel), ‘Tell My Beloved ’ (Handel), ‘ Alma Mia ’ from ‘ Floridante ’ (Handel), aria ‘ Flower Song ’ from ‘ Carmen •’ (Bizet), ‘ Romanza ’ from ‘lnnda Di Ciiamonnix.’ He will select songs from the following ‘ I’ll Sail Upon the Dog Star,’ ‘ Sweet Mystery of Life,’ ‘ The Bell Man,’ ‘ Retreat,’ ‘ Absent,’ ‘ Yours is My Heart Alone,’ ‘ Then You’ll Remember Me,’ ‘ Beloved, it is Morn,’ ‘Life and Death,’ ‘I Know of Two Bright Eyes,’ ‘ Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal,’ ‘ Song of Songs. ‘ L’Amour toujours, L’Amour,’ ‘ Vienna, City of My Dreams.’

Frederick Schauwecfcer (solo pianist) will play tlio following numbers:—‘lntermezzo’ (Brahms’). ‘ Prelude ’ (Rachmaninoff), ‘La Filense ’ (Sidelius), ‘Romance’ (Brahms), ‘La Fille aux Chevenx ’ (Debussy), ‘En Route’ (Orstein), ‘Nocturne’ (Glazounow), ‘lmpressions’ (Schmidt), ‘Piece Rococo’ (Taylor). ‘Nocturne’ (Chopin), and ‘Poem Triste ’ (Sibelius). Richard Crooks believes that music is as personal a medium of expression as conversation, and he definitely enjoys sharing an evening with his audience as a man would among friends. This quality of being instantly en rapport with his audience endeared him to the vast Australian audiences which greeted his appearance at every concert, and it is safe to say that the New Zealand music-loving public will respond in like manner to the genial personality of this superb artist. Box plans will be at the Regent Theatre this afternoon and evening