FISK JUBILEE SINGERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2802, 25 October 1924, Page 2

FISK JUBILEE SINGERS.

At present the oldest toiying company in the world is tlie Fisk Jubilee Singers. Originally starting hi 18(19, they have toured every (dime, and have sting before audiences composed of the leading representatives of the nations of the world. It is estimated that the favourite, “Steal Away," lias been sung by them 10,000 times. Of course, the old personnel has changed considerably, although Afiss Belle

Oibbons is still with the troupe and Miss Marjorie Alwyne, Mr Harry Penn and Afr Huntly Spencer have toured with the company on a previous occasion. The new artists in l lie company consist of Miss Alice Baptist, mezzo-soprano: Air Maxwell, basso; Afr Ifardie Franklin, baritone: Miss Daviria Morrison, operatic soprano: and .Miss Thompson, soprano. Air 11 unity Spencer is said to he one of the lines! coloured singers in Australia. and his quaint Sense of humour adds the neeessarv piquancy to a programme laden with good things. The "New York Tribune" says:• —“They came, they conquered, they sang to us and such harmony, such blending of voices, such execution we never heard before. Without doubt, the Fisk Jubilee Singers stand alone.’’ The Fisks have an appeal to all classes. Their sityple, heart-reach-ing melodies are acceptable to the most close erities as well as the less musically educated .portion of the audience, ll is but natural that these coloured folk whose ancestors were fervent members of the Baptist and F.piseopalian Churches, i.|' the Southern Slates ot America, should mix hymns with the lighi rag time melodies, humorous choruses

and plantation songs, but they do cither well. 'The company opens for (lie nigh I on I v at. the Town Hall on Tuesday night. The box plan is now open at Heath's.