A NOTABLE ARTIST

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 6, 11 February 1925, Page 35

A NOTABLE ARTIST

MR. PAUL SALDAIGNE RETURNS TO DUNEDIN. The following appeared the other day among musical notes in the Dunedin Evcnituj Star: People complain that life is prosaic. How is this for a romantic career? Mr. Saldaigne began as a flute player, gaining a special prize at the Brussels Conservatoire of Music. .Happening to sing at a musicians’ banquet, the ‘‘chief’’ strongly advised him to have his voice tested, and so firm was his faith in the youngster that he gave a special instruction to the director, who got him admitted at once to the opera classes. Success followed rapidlyprizes at the Conserve torium, and then the chance of studying under the famous Ernest Van Dyck, considered at the time the greatest tenor exponent - of Wagner. Engagements at the Royal Opera, in Antwerp filled up a few years, and then further study—this time in Paris under Juliani (for voice production)—and the final touches for an. opera artist, who sent him to the Boston Opera, and there for three seasons he had the honor of singing side by side with Caruso, Clement (of the Paris Opera), Madame Nordica, Emma Calve, Zenatello, widely known on gramophone records. Apropos of the latter, Mr. Saldaigne tells a good story—true, seeing he was an eye-witness. Zenatello and his conductor were not great friends, the singer being rather too proud of his five top notes. In “Aida” the tenor has a magnificent B flat for his finale, and Zenatello kept it on so > long that the conductor’s arm grew tired, and he threatened to walk out next time. At the final rehearsal, where was a large and critical audience, Zenatello succumbed to the , I temptation, only to find himself at the. end of his note alone, minus conductor and orchestra, the conductor departing saying I we'll come hack when you’ve finished, natur- ■ . ally to the great amusement of the auditorium! Mr. Saldaigne speaks most highly of Boston, considering it a true home for ; • } -the serious artist. It is here that one meets the greatest in the world, and is able to do , r concentrated work in the best surroundings. x And, of course, we all know what the Amerile cans think of Boston, “the home of evil,s. turc -” ■ , 0