SUNSHINE AND SONG

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 393, 29 June 1928, Page 9

SUNSHINE AND SONG

DEVELOPING MUSIC IN COLONIES “ART MUST NOT COME LAST” “England is in the hands of the Philistines,” according to Mr. Alfred o*Shea, the Irish tenor now visitirg Auckland. “The bulk of the people are too materialistic and selfish, and it is the only country in the world which cloc* not subsiV dise music,” he said. “Unless music is part of the educational scheme it is impossible to produce a musical country,” said Mr. O’Shea to a Sun representative this morning. As an instance he quoted the good work being done at the New South Wales Conservatorium. “It’s like an aviary,” he said. As far as music, and particularly singing is concerned, said Mr. O’Shea, Australia and New Zealand could best be likened to an unpolished diamond. There was no doubt but that both countries could produce the voices, but the polishing process was very noc ?s----sary. Both countries had produced a Melba and a Buckman, and there was no reason why they should not go on producing them. Australia. he thought, was essentially a singing country. He thought it was very similar to Italy in that respect. Italy was a land of sunshine, and a land of song. Australia had the sunshine, and, like New Zealand, its people had the physique. MUSIC IN SCHOOLS “I am very pleased to hear that under Mr. Douglas Tayler. good progress is being made with music in the State schools,” said the tenor. In the development of a country art must not come last. Although he had not been long in New Zealand he had already been impressed with the excellent work done in the convents. That is where they get a real musical education. he said. There students can concentrate on music without any discretions. “Both my supporting artists. Miss Kathleen Fitzgerald (pianist) and Miss Claire Hartge (.violinist) are conventtrained/’ said Mr. O’Shea. “That is where they get their grace and poise. “In Italy,” he said, “the Church was the mother of art. I am pleased to see that in New Zealand, as also in Australia, the same traditions were being carried on.” . That there was a demand for music bi Australia and New Zealand was the opinion given by the tenor. For proof of that he pointed out that one had °bly to recall the record number of musicians that had toured both counties during the past two years. He also referred to the Melba-Williamson, and the Gonsalez Grand Opera Companies that were now on tour. In Australia, he said, both had attracted big houses, and he had no doubt that would do so in New Zealand Before leaving on his present tour *lr. O’Shea had appeared in the gala Performances of “Rigoletto.” both in and Melbourne. singing the enor role of the Duke. When the Present tour is ended he hopes once to sing in grand opera.