MR RICHARD CROCKS

Evening Star, Issue 22461, 5 October 1936, Page 12

MR RICHARD CROCKS

A CHARMING PERSONALITY HAH OF WIDE ATTAINMENTS OBSERVATIONS ON H.Z. BROADCASTING If tlio worldly knowledge of many virtuosi does not extend beyond the musical horizon the reverse is rlio case with Mr Richard Crooks. He is a dynamic personality, cheerful, quite unassuming in disposition, am! eejuipped •with an extraordinarily largo store of interests apart from his vocal art. The celebrated tenor is interested in everything he sees, and the variety of views he expressed to a reporter this morning carried the authoritative conviction of a man of scholarly attainments. Even though he has only been a short time in the Dominion Mr Crooks gave

a constructive criticism of our broadcasting system. " I find that in isolated countries without proper radio contacts programmes, are practically restricted to recordings that do" not wholly appeal to the public. In America there are electrical transcriptions which record programmes of 15 minutes, half an hour, or an hour in length. The disc looks like a I2in record, which ordinarily plays for four minutes, but in reality may last for half an hour. In that time one may hear a diversified programme embodying vaudeville, instrumental, or vocal items.” “ Some Amcerican companies make recordings of entire radio broadcasts, which have a wide sale among stations and individual persons.” Mi Crooks suggests that broadcasting authorities in Australia and New Zealand should visit America and purchase a supply of these recordings, in the case of this country, enough to meet the requirements of each of the four stations. “ They would be less expensive and probably more entertaining than the recordings of separate items,” he commented. Mr Crooks is entirely in favour of sponsored programmes, which are contributed by the cream of artistic talent in America. He himself has boon broadcasting for five years under the regis of a universally-known commercial company. The famous tenor cited a typical week’s programme. On Monday night a motor car manufacturing firm sponsored Lawrence Tibbett. And in turn other commercial firms have sponsored Lily Pons, Nelson Eddy, John Charles Thomas, Nino Martini, the Metropolitan. Opera Company, and the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arturo Toscanini. “ Even more than Australia, which is 205,” he exclaimed, when told the license fee in New Zealand. “in America we pay nothing and hear everything. It seems to mo that the controlling authorities which get 25s from every listener should bo willing to spend money on the best.” There is a storv behind Mr Crooks’s decision to visit N f ew Zealand. “ f knew very little about Australia and this country before I came, but what attracted me in the beginning was a newsreel showing Zane Grey landing a marlin at Russell. I remarked to my wife that here was a place where we could obtain some fishing. However, I find that the season is over.” Mr Crooks was told in the North Island that ho would “freeze to death ” in the South Island, and not to forget to wear his fur coat. “ The South Island is warmer, and yesterday in Christchurch it was hotter than any other time during my whole stay,” said Air Crooks smilingly. Taking the place of Sibelius, his Finnish compatriot, as a really great composer is Kelpinen, who wrote a song dedicated to Mr Crooks, the libretto being translated specially into English. When in Helsingfors, Finland, Kelpineu played the song for Mr Crooks.