MUSIC CELEBRATIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 115, 13 April 1940, Page 3

MUSIC CELEBRATIONS

Centennial artists. With the conclusion this month of the main historical celebrations connected with the national Gcntc.iuiial, interest will centre on the music celebrations which are being; arranged on behalf of the Government as an important part of the country’s centennial activities by the national centennial music councils in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. The provincial committees will be responsible for the centennial programmes in their respective centres, and they have obtained the co-opera-tion of tho various musical societies. The arrangements which have been made were outlined by the Minister iu Charge of Centennial Celebrations (Hon. W. E. Parry) in a statement. He said that the national committee, acting lor Lite Government, is making available to each local committee, tho services of a musical adviser from England, a specially assembled symphony orchestra of picked New Zealand players. and five overseas vocalists of high artistic reputation. Already the musical societies in the centres are in active rehearsal, while in Wellington the Centennial Festival Orchestra of thirty- four of New Zealand’s best players are assembled for intensive work under the baton of Air Anderson Tyrcr. the distinguished English conductor and pianistcomposer. Two of the vocalists have arrived, namely, All* Oscar Natzko, the brilliant Auckland bass who has returned to his home country lor this special engagement after winning the high encomiums of musical critics in England for his work in leading parts in 'opera at Covent Garden and in concert work, and Afr Raymond Beatty, tho well-known Australian bass-baritone who recently sang for the Wellington Choral Union in “Elijah.” The remaining vocalists are Heddle Nash, who is acclaimed as one of England’s greatest tenors and lias gained a high reputation; Afiss Isobol Tin ill ie. soprano, who is regarded ns the leading oratorio soprano in England; and Miss Gladys Ripley, a young contralto who lias suns in leading roles at the Royal .Albert Hall aim the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.