A POPULAR BARITONE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8197, 30 July 1906, Page 3

A POPULAR BARITONE.

MR W. H. MONTGOMERY,

"For the sake of, a cbauge and to :aee New Zealaud aiid the Australian Colonies, that's why 1 left England *nd came out to the New Woilri," said Mr W. H. Montgomery, brother of Air E. Montgomery of Montgomery's entertainers, to a representative of the Wairarapa Age. Air Montgomery hi rived iu New Zealaud from the Old Country a few weeks ago to joiu his brother and so far he is very favourably impressed with the Colony. "It wad iu Loudon iu 1890 that 1 first ■commenced concert *iugiug," said Mr Montgomery. "My first, singing naster was Mr Chailua lira ham, sou of the famous composer, Mr •John Brahaoi, who wrote the •Death of Nt-lson,' au.i other well known which took London by storm, lie whs my tutor up to the time of his death. I then allied myself with Siguor Bouett', the greatest Italian siuying master an, London at the. lime. It was when I »as singing at concerts in London \u St. James' Hall, Alexander Palace, and Crystal Palace that my vocal po.er attracted D'Oyley Carte, the pioneer of Gilbert and Sullivan's famous operas. He engaged me immedi ately, especially for the part of 'Grosvenor' in the opera 'Patience,' and my first appearance in that part was at the Prince's Theatre, Manchester. 1 might here state that the Manchester Guardian commenting on my first appearance in that part, said: 'Mi Montgomery's beauiful voice enables him to do justice to the lovely rrusio given to 'Grosvenor,' whioh he sings with taste, and he aotß the part with great ability.' After three years with the D'Oyley Carte Company, 1 was engaged by Mr T. A. Barratt (now known as Leslie Stewart, the great composer) to sing at St. James' Hall, Manchester, This hall is capable uf seating 10,000 people. 1 was also engaged by Mr W. H. Jude to sing at Liverpool.' I then returned to opera, and took the part of 'Sherwood* in the opera 'Dorothy,' being engaged by Mr W\ B. Redfam, who was Mayor L of Cambridge for five consecutive ~ years. In that role my great song was 'Queen of My Heart,' and in the same part I toured the whole of Great Britain and Ireland. After a short oonoert tour of six months with Miss Adelaide Detohon, the great American reciter, and Walter Van Norrden (now proprietor of the Carle Rosa Opera Company), the latter advised me to sing to the late Mr Artnnr Rouseby. 1 did so, and was successful. Mr Rouseby immediately engaged me to sing all the baritone parts alternately with him in hia Grand Opera, whioh included over ]OO artists, exclusive of the orchestra and chorus. 1 travelled through the whole of the United Kinedom with tht company. At the Grand Theatre, Glasgow, when Mr Rouseby was ill, 1 •sang for the whole week in the lead- • ing role, having a.different part each f night. Oc Monday it was Don '" Jose, on Tuesday Count Ahmien, ■on Wednesday Count di Luna, on Thursday Alflo, from Cavalleria Eustioana, and on Friday Valentine, from Faust. It was when I was with the Rouseby Company that 1 sang for the first time in London the part of Silvio in the Italian Opera 11 Fagliacci in English. 11 Fagliaooi was the opera that won the Grand Prix over the bead of the famous opera Cavalleria Rusticana, -at La Soala Opera House, at Milan. I have given a great deal of time to concert and oratorio work in London, and also at London society 'at homes.' I am looking forward to singing the part of Elijah in New Zealand. During my season of Elijah in Dublin, I sang for six oonseoutive Sundays at the Roman Catholic Cathedral, *Tbere is a Green £1 111 Far Away,' by Gounod. Father Healey, the parißb priest, would not let me chan-.e the song, as there were people coming from far and near to hear it sung. Wbt-n I was leaving Dublin they gave a banquet in my honour. I was engaged at the Palace Theatre, London, where 1 finished a season of eight weeks before coming to New Zealand to join my bi other." In conclusion, Mr Montgomery spoke in lnudatory terms of Mr Leslie Stewart as a composer, and said be was practically taking the place of Sir Arthur Sullivan in England, where the public taste was now rapidy reverting back to real opera. The dong Bandolero, which was,sang by Mr Montgomery in the Town Hall on 'lhursday evening, was composed by Mr Leslie Stewart, who is also famous for composing the operas 'Florodora' and 'The Belte ■of May Fair.' "I say," said Mr Montgomery, "that Rip Van Winkle, one of bis latest and greatest songs, is the finest song ever written by an Englishman, and it is just as great as Schubert's famous 'Earl King.' The song is really a musical sena, and takes eight minutes to sing." Mr Montgomery tells a humourous anecdote in connection with the composition of Rio Van Winkle. It took the composer a fortnight to write it, and during that time he never left his study. He allowed his beard to grow, and when he first came out after writing the song he remarked: **l think I am really a Rip Van Winkle." Mr Montgomery intends to remain with his brother's Company for some time. He then again expects to go in for concert and oratorio work, and also for opera work.