GRAMOPHONES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 210, 24 November 1927, Page 18

GRAMOPHONES

Gems from famous operas are provided by the Light Oopera Company in vocal gems from the “Waltz Dream'” and the “Merry Widow.” (H.M.V. EB. 12.) These will be much enjoyed. Of their kind. Strauss’s “Waltz Dream” and Lehar’s “Merry Widow” are two of the finest and most successful light operas ever staged. They are full of | melodious and haunting airs. The recording, too, is excellent.

A voice like a violin is claimed for the tenor Fernan Ansseau in “Arise Fairest Sun” (Ah, levetci soleil) and “All Hail. O Tomb!” (Salut tombeau) (H.M.V. D.B. 951). The first of two airs Ansseau has sung for this record comes from the “Garden Scene” of Gounod’s operatic version of “Romeo and Juliet.” Romeo stands beneath Juliet’s-window and in a burst of melody begs her to appear “like the sun.” The second air is from the final scene of the opera. Romeo arrives at the try sting place only to find Juliet lying, apparently lifeless, upon her bier. Both airs are sung magnificently.

“Tinmni is fortunate, for not only did it hear Jascha Heifetz, but Joseph Hislop will give a concert there.” In view of the possibility that the above extract from an Auckland provincial journal might create a false impression of the musical appreciation of some of the smaller centres of the South Island it should also be mentioned that Rosina Buckman, Madame Pavlova, and other famous artists have attracted big “houses” at the Southern seaside resort. It might also be of interest to note that Timaru, which has a population smaller than Mount Albert Borough, possesses two fullstrength and entirely independent operatic societies which produce every season, in addition to an occasional revue, an orchestral society, Orpheus Society, dramatic society, ■ and quite an -imposing number of minor musical and dramatic societies connected with various church organisations. Three famous artists who recently visited Auckland would have had little difficulty in attracting bigger support in some of the smaller centres.