Around The Nationals

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 85, 7 February 1941, Page 24

Around The Nationals

ROM nigger minstrel to grand opera covers the experience in vocal work of Ernest Rogers, tenor, who has been a performer at 3YA for the past 12 -years, as a soloist and as a member of quartets. In the early days of 2YA he was a member of Madame Gower Burns’s Operatic Quartet, and later of the Commercial Travellers’ Male Quartet, one of whose members was Jock Tennant, now of Station 4YA. Mr. Rogers has also had considerable experience in oratorio and church music, and as a member of the Dixonian Club has studied opera of more modern type. He will be heard in a studio recital from 3YA on February 14. * * * AKING her first appearance before the microphone on February 15 is Zena Finlay, of Waiuku, a young pianist who will be heard in a short recital from 1YA on that evening. Miss Finlay, whose picture appears on this page, plays Chopin when she plays to please herself, but realising that Chopin’s works are familiar enough to most listeners, she has chosen lesser-known melodies for her broadcast. It will include " Barcarole" by Merikanto, the Finnish composer, "Ballet des Ombres Heureuses " (Gluck-Friedman), and Medtner’s "Drei Novellen, Op. 17" * * * HERE is something fascinating about \" French songs of the Bergerette Style, two of which will be sung by Irene Macdonald (contralto) in a programme from 3YA, scheduled for 8.12 p.m. on February 13, together with the popular French-Canadian folk song "Alouette." Fwo well-loved French ballads-"Si mes Vers avaient des Ailes" and "Chanson du Coeur Brise" are also on this programme. a % % MERLE CUNNINGHAM, a pianist who is frequently heard in broadcasts from 3YA, and will be heard again on Sunday, February 9, won an Exhibition which entitled her to free tuition at the Royal Academy of Music, London, While there, she studied under York Bowen, the eminent Professorpianist, and composer of world-wide reputation. Before leaving New Zealand, Merle Cunningham won the Violet Ward Prize, Advanced Grade Exhibition, and Final Grade gold medal and Exhibition, numerous competition successes, and the Bristol Scholarship. She holds the diplomas of L.R.A.M.. A.R.C.M., L.S.R.M., and F.T.C.L. * * * QWEN BONIFANT, who for a long -~ time has been supplying tenor parts in the Home Town Concert Party, and who is the tenor member of the Cameo Three, sings two well-known songs from 2YA on Wednesday, February 12. They are, "I Heard a Thrush at Eve," and "Love Could I Only Tell Thee." Mr. Bonifant is also a member of the Schola Cantorum and has been before the microphone from 2YA for a number of years.