“HOME” AGAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 159, 26 September 1927, Page 13

“HOME” AGAIN

MADAME ALDA ARRIVES VIVACIOUS AND CHARMING ‘•That settles it.” Madame Frances Alda, grand opera singer and one of the world’s greatest sopranos, pointed to her passport. There, in Hack ancl white, were the words, "Born in Christchurch, September, ISS3.” “npHAT ends the controversy concerning my birthplace,” said Madame. Madame Frances Alda is a New Zealander who has become world-famous. She returned this morning by the Niagara from Sydney for a concert tour of the Dominion. Madame is vivacious and charming. There was a wealth of meaning in her voice when she said how delighted she was to be back in New Zealand. “You see I was only 10 months old when I went away,” she smiled, ‘‘so I remember nothing of New Zealand. I was born in Christchurch (there was emphasis on the “was”), but I was taken to Melbourne and lived there with my grandparents.” Madame is outspoken. “Can you realise that two Australian journalists asked, me where the Metropolitan Grand Opera House was.” That is where Madame has sung for some years. Her husband is Giulio GattiCasazza, the general director of the Metropolitan Grand Opera House, New York. CHILDHOOD PROMISE The childhood promise of Madames voice was proved at quite an early age. She left Australia and went to Paris where she studied under Madame Marchesi. It was in Paris, too, that she first won success, when she appeared at the Opera Comique in 1904, specially instructed by the famous Massenet himself in his opera “Manon.” Later, at La Scala, Madame created the name-part of “Louise.” From then on success was hers. Madame Alda appeared at covent Garden, London, in “Rigoletto” with Caruso and Battistini —a wonderful trio. Then on to New York where she has sung with ail the greatest singers of the day—herself one of the greatest. Madame has sung the leading; roles in 43 grand operas and she speaks seven different languages. She has never missed a concert or an opera. This morning she was the picture of glowing health, in the smartest of frocks. A BAD CUSTOM The custom of bringing a number of great artists to Australia and. New Zealand one after the other does not appeal to Madame Alda. “How can they do it,’ she explained, “when a great ai'tist can give only two concerts In six months in Now York, and yet in Australia they have artist after artist in succession. Too many local managers are killing music in Australia,” she continued; “they are cutting each Otter’s throats, so to speak.” And Madame had a few words to say of Madame Melba’s "stunts.” “I have noticed,” she said with a smile, that Melba always does something for the great violinist or pianist, but I have never seen her do anything for the great soprano.” “No, I have not heard any voices which show promise,” she replied in answer to a question. “They are good, some of them, but a great singer must have personality and brains —voice is not everything.” Madame is very happy at the thought of seeing New Zealand. “You have the reputation abroad of being appreciative,” she said, “and X am proud of it.” But already Madame has arranged for her return to America. “I am always working,” and she laughed an infectious laugh. “The night I return to New York from this tour I open in ‘Manon Lescaut.’ ”