Great Wits and Madness
‘THE famous "Mad Scene" is not a monopoly of operatic composers; in how many poems, stories, and plays is there a fair creature with straws in her hair? Modern writers are also eager to depict the shadowy borderlands of the mind, but in a clinical, detached, psychoanalytical manner which leaves the reader somewhat chilled. The lunatics of the older school of writers were more interesting, painted in more humane colours, and invested with a romantic aura not encouraged nowadays. There was one delightful thing about all of them-they could all sing! From Ophelia to Lucia, from Tom o’ Bedlam to Mad | Meg in Ruddigore, they all invent snatches of delightful nonsense and chant them in a manner which no insane person could for a moment manage, such is the voice-control, musical knowledge, and general stability of intellect required for even the most minor of these roles. But surely for vocal diversity there is no single air to touch Purcell’s "Mad Bess," Listening to this song recently from 4YA, I wondered how the poor de--mented soul could manage so successfully the key-changes, alterations of rhythm and tempo, and subtle differences of mood and manner required in its lengthy phrases. If she has the mental stamina to sing this so well, she had better forsake her straw and apply forthwith for an audition to the nearest operatic manager.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19450406.2.21.7
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Listener, Volume 12, Issue 302, 6 April 1945, Page 11
Word count
Tapeke kupu
230Great Wits and Madness New Zealand Listener, Volume 12, Issue 302, 6 April 1945, Page 11
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Material in this publication is protected by copyright.
Are Media Limited has granted permission to the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa to develop and maintain this content online. You can search, browse, print and download for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Are Media Limited for any other use.
Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
Log in