RETURNING TO AMERICA

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 135, 29 August 1927, Page 4

RETURNING TO AMERICA

TT was said of Elsa Stralia's voice by no less a person than Walter Damrosch, of the New York Symphony Orehestra: “I have not heard such a voice since Lilli Lehmann sang.” En route to the United States by the Aorangi to fulfil engagements Madame is strongly of the opinion that Australians do not sufficiently appreciate their own artists. ‘‘With, a foreign, name it is a different

matter,” declared the songstress, on her arrival in Auckland this morning, “though even some of the foreigners have had a thin time in Australia of late.” Efrem Zimbalist, recently In New Zealand, was instanced by Madame. “He was having a very quiet

time until Melba came to his aid in Melbourne and sang with him,” she said. “I do not know why it is, but Australian artists who have won reputations abroad never seem to be appreciated in their own country.” .It was the same, Madame declared, with unrecognised local talent. She had heard some remarkable voices, yet they always had to go abroad to win recognition. FAMOUS WAGNERIAN EXPONENT Before her departure from Melbourne Madame Stralia sang with the Conservatorium Orchestra under the direction of Fritz Hart. Stralia was in her element for she was able to give Melbournians a little insight into some of the great Wagnerian roles in wliich she first wen renown in London. But it was in “Aida" that the diva scored her initial success. Called to take the place of Destinn at a few minutes notice, she took Covent Garden by storm, and was acclaimed one of the greatest exponents of the role ever heard in London. “Cavalleria Rusticana.” “Prince Igor,” “Tannhauser,” “The Masked Ball,” were other operas in which she appeared. Madame Stralia was also paid the exceptional honour of being called to Paris to sing twice with the famous Lemoureux orchestra under the baton of Chevillard. John McCormick, Antonio Scotti, and Titto Ruffo, are among the wellknown artists with whom Elsa Stralia has sung. Her first American appearance on this occasion will be at San Francisco. There is a possibility, however, that she will sing at Honolulu on the trip across.