NEWS FROM THE ZB STATIONS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 66, 27 September 1940, Page 40

NEWS FROM THE ZB STATIONS

OWADAYS people are taking a keen interest in the names of places and personalities in the news. Realising this, 4ZB will shortly be inaygurating a session devoted to giving up-to-the-minute information so that listeners will be able to Jearn more about such places as the Bahamas, New Caledonia, Albania, Nicaragua, and so on, and thus have a greater understanding of the world in which we live. Barend Harris, of 4ZB, will conduct the session and his friendly informal manner should appeal to all listeners, both young and old, who desire to improve their knowledge about places and people in the news. This informative and entertaining session will be heard from 4ZB on Friday evenings at 10.15. New Afternoon Features Knowing from previous experience that there is a tremendous number of listeners to daytime programmes, 4ZB is introducing some new sessions which should appeal to all tastes. On Monday and Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock, listeners will hear "‘ America Calling," a show that will introduce the cream of America’s entertainers and composers. There is endless scope here for entertainment that is new and novel, Wednesday’s 4 o'clock programme features Barend Harris, 4ZB’s programme organiser, in a 15-minute session of song and story. Mr. Harris possesses a fine bass voice and he has had wide experience in radio, having broadcast through the principal radio stations in Australia and New Zealand, "For Ladies Only" is the intriguing title of 4ZB’s Thursday 4 o’clock programme, while on Friday afternoons " Keyboard Capers" will be presented. This latter session features some of the world’s greatest pianists, both ‘classical and modern. In addition to the above presentations there will be music at its best in the session "Stealing Through. the Classics," at 3.15. p.m. every day from Mondays to Fridays. enhanced by these additions. Gems from’ Grand’ Onerer 22" Most lovers of grand opera are familiar with the curious stage setting in which the famous " Rigoletto" Quartet is sung. The tavern wail divides the stage into two portions; on one side are the Duke and Maddalena, on the other Rigoletto and Gilda. As Gilda peers through a chink in the wall to see her philandering lover, the Duke, laying siege to the susceptible Maddalena’s heart, the emotions of each of the four characters are blended by the composer to make one of the most striking and dramatic passages in all opera. Verdi has skilfully interwoven the’ of the Duke, the laughing coquetry of Maddalena, the utter despair of Gilda and the fierce

A mi utterances of Rigoletto, retaining to the full the individual emotions throughout. The climax of the "Rigoletto" Quartet is probably unsurpassed in grand opera. On Wednesday, October 2, the famous "Quartet" will be featured from 3ZB in the session "Gems from Grand Opera," which is broadcast every Wednesday at 6.30 p.m. and every Friday at 6.45 p.m. Happiness Club in Auckland The 1ZB Happiness Club is swinging again into activity. The club is sponsoring a concert

to be held in the Auckland Town Hall on Wednesday, October 9, in aid of Auckland crippled children. This concert will feature the St. John Ambulance Symphony Orchestra, and assisting artists will be the ZB’s favourite " Jerry," the Auckland baritone, Robert Simmers, and the contralto, Jean MacFarlane. Trevor Sparling will be heard at the Town Hall organ. On the day following the concert, October 10, the Director of the 1ZB Happiness Club ("Joan") will leave for Nelson, accompanied by a number of Auckland members, to open the Nelson branch of the club. " Doctors Courageous " "Doctors Courageous" is a new programme beginning on October 1 from all ZB stations. It will be heard on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. Emblazoned aoross the history of medical science are names and deeds of men and women whose lives were _ unselfishly devoted to the cause of humanity. In the ceaseless battle against the forces of sickness and disease their zealous endeavour and _ will to win has carried the torch into hidden places, routing out the scourges of mankind.

Sacrificing health, career and often life itself they display one quality above all otherscourage. It is courage which enables them to fight on from defeat to victory-on to the goal-of ultimate healing. These patient workers are remembered in the programme " Doctors Courageous," and listeners will know a little of what has been achieved in an endeavour to bring health to the world. "Twisted Tunes " Professor Speedee, who has often entertained listeners of the CBS network over the past two years, has appeared in many guises, ‘the

first of them was as Professor Speedee, then as Captain Speedee, in a travel session, and then as Professor Speedee again, in the " Ask-it Basket " session, He is featuring an entirely new programme now from ZB Stations, at 8.15 on Saturday evenings, and the title of it is ‘ Twisted Tunes." He has been pottering about: with sharps and flats, " specialising in music" he calls it; and has found numerous songs that have popped up in.a new disguise. This popular programme of nonsense and melody shows how one tune is like another, how -one melody is twisted up in another. The’ first example he gives ‘of ‘a twisted tune is a variation of "A Tisket-A- Tasket." Professor Speedee’ will explain to listeners that the tune is a very old one, in fact the’ nursery rhyme "Oranges and Lemons." "One Night of Love" will be shown to be a twisted tune of the "Aria" from Puccini’s "Madame Butterfly." "Ah! Moon of My Delight" makes us wonder what Noel Coward was thinking of when he wrote " Dance, Dance, Little Lady," says the Professor, but he does not stop at two twists, no, there is a third-‘* When You Grow Up Little Lady." This manipulator of melodies, and juggler of jazz, has already received appreciation from listeners for this session "Twisted Tunes." If you have not. already tuned in to this bright programme do so next Saturday night at 8.15.