"CELEBRITIES WANTED"
To the Editor, "The Listener," Sir,-I would like to support M. D. Bassett’s request for "celebrities." What soprano recording today can compare with the recordings of Amelita Galli-Curci? For technique and brilliancy of tone no present-day coloratura can hold a candle to her. Miliza Korjus is definitely third-rate, both as singer and artist, as compared with Galli-Curci. The GalliCurci duets with De Luca and Schipa are unsurpassed, but when do we hear them? Again, should amateurs attempt Lieder? Lotte Lehmann would not attempt Lieder until she had become a world-famous singer. Why not keep Lieder for recorded artists alone? To one who has heard Lehmann, Gerdhart, Schumann, Schlusnus, and Flagstad in person, the amateurs sound pathetic. Certainly let us encourage our local artists, but they must learn their limitations. Why so much of Richard Crooks, and so little of John McCormack? Webster Booth is a recording artist who has recently recorded Opera in English in grand style. We have not as yet heard these records. Also we could do with more records of that glorious contralto Marian Anderson, who, Toscanini declared, had the greatest vocal organ of the century. Yours, etc.,
Music Lover
Sumner, Christchurch, January 12, 1940.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19400209.2.12.7
Bibliographic details
New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 33, 9 February 1940, Page 10
Word Count
200"CELEBRITIES WANTED" New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 33, 9 February 1940, Page 10
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